Line by Line - Verse 23, Lines 13-14

Hence, those with whom he agrees as to the Tao have the happiness of attaining to it;
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

When you are at one with the Tao,
The Tao welcomes you.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

Those who are with the Tao, the Tao is also pleased to have them
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

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

For me, all these lines signify is that, when we are open, there exists the opportunity for qi to fill our lives with the vital flow of humility, love and grace. By being receptive to the unknown currents of the Grand Mystery, we become like the empty bowl or the uncarved block.

Another way to state this idea comes from Roshi Hogan's Teaching of the Tao:

Master Li once told his students, “Your mind should be one of a clay pot not yet fired in the kiln.”

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