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yìng : answer

rootspinyin, English
?心 yàn eagle, xïn heart

而莫之應
38:14 ér mò zhï yìng
But none answer it
but when no one responds L1, FE, W1, WO, PC
and finds no response LY, W1, EC
but no response RP, GR
and if you don't respond CM
when men did not respond to it JL
upon encountering no response DL
upon receiving no response DC
and if there is no proper response WW
but other do not respond to him VM
but if others do not respond PI
if people fail to respond AW
nd when people do not respond to it WC
when no one pays them any heed AH
reciprocate AL
follows C1
when no one follows along DL

Given how many translators use 'answer' for 'yìng' in Chapter 73, it is surprising none use it here, as it is just as appropriate in this context as the other. 'reciprocate' (AL) is obtuse, and 'follow' (C1, DL) too specific, and neither is used next.


不言而善應
73:11 bù yán ér shàn yìng
Does not speak but is good at answering
good at answering VM
adeptly answers GR
answers wisely RP
answers fully LG
answering effectively AH
and so answers perfectly DL
finds the right answer WO
but nonetheless to get an answer AW
and yet it is answered FE
good in responding EC, PI
[Excels] in responding L1, DH
skillfully respond RH
skillfully responds to things WC
sure to respond PC
responds AL, JS
to respond well CM
responding without announcing DC
to get responses W1
[spontaneously] receives a response C1
rewarding (vice and virtue) without words LY

Most of the diversity here comes from the interpretation of 'shàn' rather than 'yìng'; 'yìng' gets 'answer' and 'respond' about equally, and they are not worth much of a fight. I prefer 'answer' only as in more common English use. LY is the exception here, with little context and much editorial. The other significant discrepancy is whether the Way of Heaven is answering or being answered. AW, FE, W1, and C1 take the latter tack, which seems more authoritarian and less naturally beneficent, and breaks the parallelisms of paradoxes of the Way. And some translators reverse the order of the line.

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