Line by Line - Verse 78, Lines 8-9

Therefore a sage has said,
'He who accepts his state's reproach,
Is hailed therefore its altars' lord;
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

Therefore the sage says:
He who takes upon himself the humiliation of the people is fit to rule them.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

Therefore sages say:
The one who accepts the humiliation of the state
Is called its master
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

Lao Tzu used to say:
"Take on people's problems,
and you can be their leader.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

As with most things in this verse, Derek Lin asks us again to consider the metaphor of water.

How should we react to humiliation? To accept it calmly requires far more strength of character than to respond with hostility and aggression. Remember the power of water, and let it be your guide to yield...and overcome.

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