Laozi
天長地久。 天地所以能 長且久者， 以其不自生， 故能長生。 是以聖人後 其身而身先； 外其身而身 存。非以其無 私耶？故能成 其私。
James Legge
Heaven is long-enduring and earth continues long. The reason why heaven and earth are able to endure and continue thus long is because they do not live of, or for, themselves. This is how they are able to continue and endure.
Therefore the sage puts his own person last, and yet it is found in the foremost place; he treats his person as if it were foreign to him, and yet that person is preserved. Is it not because he has no personal and private ends, that therefore such ends are realised?
Victor H. Mair
Heaven is long and earth is lasting. Heaven and earth can be long and lasting because they do not live for themselves. Therefore, They can be long-lived. For this reason, The sage withdraws himself but comes to the fore, alienates himself but is always present. Is this not because he is free of private interests? Therefore, He can accomplish his private interests.
C. Spurgeon Medhurst
Nature [^1] continues long. What is the reason that Nature continues long? Because it produces nothing for itself it is able to constantly produce.
It is for this reason that the Holy Man puts himself in the background; yet he comes to the front. He is indifferent to himself; yet he is preserved.
Is it not because he has no interests of his own that he is able to secure his interests?
The myth of Psyche and Eros is an exquisite illustration of the tragedy and mystery of life. Through seeking to gratify selfish curiosity Psyche lost all she cared for, and not until she had been purified by unmeasured suffering did she meet her beloved again. The Prodigal in Christ’s parable only found his father when he lost all desire for a separated will.
Those who seek least enjoy most. Lao-tzu’s allegory is one with the paradox of Jesus, that life is best found when lost, and most lost when found, for only the all-loving know life, and only the disinterested love all.
[^1] “Nature” here and in chap. 5 is “Heaven-Earth.” See index.
Ursula K. Le Guin
Heaven will last, earth will endure. How can they last so long? They don’t exist for themselves and so can go on and on.
So wise souls leaving self behind move forward, and setting self aside stay centered. Why let the self go? To keep what the soul needs.