Line by Line - Verse 68, Line 7

Thus we say, 'Like Heaven's his ends,
No sage of old more bright.'
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

This since ancient times has been known as the ultimate unity with heaven.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

It is called being harmonious with Heaven
The ultimate principle of the ancients
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

It's always been an excellent way
to get right with Tao.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

From the perspective of Derek Lin,

"Heaven" means nature, which is always non-contentious. In a thunderstorm we can sense tremendous power, but no hatred, anger, or arrogance. When the ancients noted this, they made non-contention their ultimate principle.

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