Line by Line - Verse 61, Line 13

a small state only wishes to be received by, and to serve, the other.
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

A small country needs to serve.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

The small country only wishes to join and serve 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 ~

In my mind's eye, a lesser nation or person seeks to exploit others. They only "care" for those who will provide them with a benefit. Anyone else is simply shit out of luck!

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