Line by Line - Verse 39, Line 15

Thus it is that dignity finds its (firm) root in its (previous) meanness,
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

Therefore the humble is the root of the noble.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

Therefore, the honored uses the lowly as basis
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

Humility gives us power.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

How does one learn humility? One of the best ways I know is by watching those who exhibit its opposite. When we watch the haughty prance around as if they are creation's special children, we see the way others (including ourselves) are oppressed, disrespected and subjugated.

If an individual takes the Golden Rule to heart, then we will choose to treat others as we want to be treated.

To view the Index page for this series to see what you may have missed or would like to read again, go here.