Line by Line - Verse 10, Lines 7-8

In loving the people and ruling the state, cannot he proceed without any (purpose of) action?
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

Loving all men and ruling the country,
Can you be without cleverness?
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

In loving the people and ruling the nation
Can one be without manipulation?
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

Can you be a leader and
not try to prove you're in charge?
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

As Derek Lin points out, while this line seems to be addressing rulers, it genuinely applies to each of us because we have our own "kingdoms" in our families, workplaces and social groups. Ron Hogan catches this drift nicely!

For his part, John Lash remarks that the operative concept in this line is love.

Love is the only thing that can make us one with others. Love is the only force that unites individuals. And it is only through Oneness that our natures can develop to the fullest.

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