Line by Line - Verse 16, Line 11

From this community of feeling comes a kingliness of character;
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

Being openhearted, you will act royally.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

Impartiality is sovereign
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

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

When we can embrace genuine impartiality, it means that we don't approach situations or circumstances from the perspective of self-interest; we move beyond the question "What will I get out of this?" By removing the self from the equation, we concurrently strip away desires and expectations.

With these barriers removed, it becomes second nature to look at the variables before us and then do whatever needs to be done. We no longer need to perform the staggering calculus of self-centeredness by which we weigh one aspect against another in order to maximize our pleasure or minimize our suffering.

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