Line by Line - Verse 36, Line 10

The soft overcomes the hard; and the weak the strong.
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

Soft and weak overcome hard and strong.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

The soft and weak overcomes the tough and strong
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

Sensitivity and weakness overcome unfeeling strength.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

I like the way John Lash frames this line.

In everyday life, the student relies on the softness and gentleness of his loving heart to overcome the hardness and strength of hatred and hostility.

Another way of saying that love conquers all things!

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