#7*
Heaven is eternal;
earth is everlasting.
The reason why heaven
and earth can be eternal
and everlasting?
Because they do not
exist for themselves,
[they] thus can live long.
Therefore, the Sage makes
himself go behind yet
he comes before;
considers himself
outside yet he is
sheltered. [1]
Is it not because
he is so selfless?
Thus, achieving
his personal [target]. [2]
[1] 存, Cún: this word means both to exist and to deposit. We have chosen shelter as signifying how being here (existence) is a way of being thrown or deposited in the world.
[2] This paragraph seems contradictory. Being selfless, the Sage nonetheless arrives or succeeds at his “personal” targets. This is not his accomplishment but the result of existing for others.
Related articles
- Daodejing 8 (keithwaynebrown.com)
- Daodejing 6 (keithwaynebrown.com)
- Daodejing 1 (keithwaynebrown.com)
- Daodejing 38 Redux (keithwaynebrown.com)


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