Line by Line - Verse 51, Line 4

and are completed according to the circumstances of their condition.
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

They are shaped by environment.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

Forces perfect them
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

and they are shaped
by their circumstances.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

Not only are we influenced by our environment, but the circumstances of life play an equally big role. If we happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, even the best laid plans can suddenly go awry!

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