3 ms·
'道[2]' did not have the meaning of 'say; tell' until the Song dynasty, which was ~1000 years ago. Therefore, it is questionable, whether the second '道' really
by drwu 8y ago
'道[2]' did not have the meaning of 'say; tell' until the Song
dynasty, which was ~1000 years ago.
Therefore, it is questionable, whether the second '道' really means 'say; tell' in the text before 2000 years.
- anqurvanillapy 8y agoIf so, '道' initially means 'path; road', and its further meaning 'law; principle' can indicate its alternative function in the sentence (n. -> v.). It might be 'describe; illustrate' rather than 'say' here.