May 2009

Commentary

Today this chapter speaks to me of consciousness, or the light there of. Often the mind is interested in the objects of awareness – what the light shines upon. The mystery is the light itself, and in using the light to ‘inspect’ the light… ‘Use the light, but give up the discernment‘. Very odd, like using the eye to see itself. The marvel of consciousness is that, unlike the impossibility of a physical eye seeing itself, consciousness can. Or at least it feels so, most especially when the names and words are put to bed. Only in that silence can I see the indistinct and suddenly.

‘The opening of moral character allows only the way through’ sure sounds awkward compared with D.C. Lau’s In his every movement a man of great virtue follows the way and the way only. The difference, if there is one, lies in the view that an opening of moral character must be present in order to allow the way through. D.C. Lau’s translation seems to evoke a more active approach on the part of man. The phrase, ‘In his every movement’ is no where to be found in the Chinese. For me, the literal Chinese evokes a more passive view, more like: when the window is open the sun shines through. D.C. Lau’s phrasing lends a ‘free will‘ tone to this chapter which the original lacks.

Translation

The opening of moral character allows only the way through.
Of the way serving the outside world, only suddenly, only indistinct.
Indistinct and suddenly, among which exist a shape.
Suddenly and indistinct, among which exists the outside world.
Deep and dark in which exists essence.
Its essence is more than real.
In which exists trust.
From ancient times up to the present,
Its reputation never left because of the experience of the multitude.
Why do I know the multitude are of just this condition?
Because of this.

hole (opening) virtue (character; heart) of hold (allow, permit) only (alone) road (way, principle, speak; think) is (this; that) from (through > ever; follow).

road (way, principle, speak; think) of do (serve as; be; for) thing (matter; the outside world) only (but; thinking) suddenly (seemingly) only (but; thinking) indistinct.

indistinct suddenly (seemingly) among (in which) have (there is; exist) elephant (appearance; shape; image).

suddenly (seemingly) indistinct among (in which) have (there is; exist) thing (matter; the outside world).

deep (quiet and elegant) dark (obscure; deep; profound; stupid) among (in which) have (there is; exist) refined (choice; essence).

his (her; its; their; that; such) refined (choice; essence) very (extremely; more than) true (real; unmistakably).

among (in which) have (there is; exist) true (trust; have faith in; believe in).

self (certainly; from; since) ancient (age-old) reach (come up to; and) modern (present-day; now),

name (fame; reputation) not go (leave; remove) use (take; because of; so as to) read (inspect; experience) many (crowd; multitude) just (only).

I (we) who (why) know (realize; tell) many (crowd; multitude) just (only) of form (shape; condition; account) ?!

use (take; because of; so as to) this.

Original

孔德之容惟道是从。
道之为物惟恍惟惚。
惚兮恍兮其中有象。
恍兮惚兮其中有物。
窈兮冥兮其中有精。
其精甚真。
其中有信。
自古及今，
其名不去以阅众甫。
吾何以知众甫之状哉！
以此。