道德经一
Daodejing One: 6/59
道
可
道
非
常
道
道dào
道dào 可kě 道dào 非fēi 常cháng 道dào
道 可 道 非 常 道
“way” “can” “speak” “is not” “constant” “way”
the way that can be spoken of is not the constant way
the thing you’re talking about it not actually it
what you are talking about is just your idea of it
when Laozi was writing this book
his friends all laughed at him and said
“hey, if you can’t talk about the dao then why are you writing a book about it?
stop writing it.
just take it easy, okay?”
but Laozi said
“hey c’mon. we can say some really daoist things
just don’t try and define the dao.”
that nice couple get along so well
because they always do good for each other
that’s the thing that always keeps them together
but say what doing good for one another means
make that into rules
rules for them to follow
and it’s lost
you can talk about the couple
and make a film about their love for each other
but try and formulate exactly what that love entails
and you’ve ruined it
the first line of the daodejing
is dense
and can have many interpretations
if you’re confused, that’s good
the rest of the book extends upon this line
things will become clearer
