It is not natural to stand on tiptoe, or being astride one does not walk. One who displays himself is not bright, or one who asserts himself cannot shine. A self-approving man has no merit, nor does one who praises himself grow.
The relation of these things (self-display, self-assertion, self-approval) to Dao is the same as offal is to food. They are excrescences from the system; they are detestable; Dao does not dwell in them.
Interpretation:
Again this chapter cautions us about vanity and the ego and the very funny metaphors again points out the happy heart of the taoist. We cannot stand on our ego with any more grace than we can on our tiptoes.
The comparison of the ego to "offal" is funny but leads to a deeper question. By saying "self-display" etc. exist in relation to the Dao in the same way that offal relates to food, the author suggests that ego is a by product of the Tao. Why might they say that?
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