Line by Line - Verse 61, Line 12

The great state only wishes to unite men together and nourish them;
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

A great nation needs more people;
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

The large country only wishes to gather and protect people
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

[No corresponding line]
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

A great nation or a great person is concerned with the welfare of all. When you genuinely care about people, you work to provide them with the ability to obtain their basic needs and you nurture them to become caring and productive individuals.

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