Introduction

This verse was the first I have encountered in the project with wildly disparate Chinese versions. The lines weren’t in the same order. In some places, the text had three characters represented across the five extant versions. The oldest version didn’t even have a partial copy of this verse. So on and so forth. 

Ultimately, a clear and straightforward message emerged: Pay attention to how your lifestyle impacts your state. Orient from interior wisdom, not as a slave to the exterior sense experience. 

Along the way, I made subtle decisions with nuanced but profound implications on the philosophical underpinnings. Without further ado, let’s get started!

Translation

The five colors cause people’s eyes to go blind.
The five sounds cause people’s ears to go deaf.
The five flavors cause people’s mouths to spoil.

Racing around on the hunt causes madness in the mind.
Pursuing after treasures causes our behavior to waiver.

Therefore, let go of that and hold this
according to the inner and not the outer.

This is how the Wise govern themselves. 

Commentary

The five colors cause people’s eyes to go blind.
The five sounds cause people’s ears to go deaf.
The five flavors cause people’s mouths to spoil.

Like most ancient cultures, the Chinese have a system of five elements. One of the delightful qualities of the Chinese system is that it organized many aspects according to this elemental perspective. Here is a reference for the idea regarding the colors, sounds, and flavors, though please note that there are other versions.