Line by Line - Verse 8, Line 8

that of government is in its securing good order;
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

In ruling, be just.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

Governing with great administration
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

(No corresponding line)
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

The model for how each of us should relate to others in the government of nations (or in relations amongst ourselves) is to follow the path of Tao. Tao is impartial which means the Way favors nothing over anything else. Tao has no attachments, so desire does not cloud judgment.

Derek Lin connects this line to the ongoing water motif of this entire verse.

Water administers to everything equally. It slakes the thirst of the kind person just as it does the unkind person. Thus, we also do not pick and choose the recipients of the benefits we provide.

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