Line by Line - Verse 57, Line 16

I will be fond of keeping still, and the people will of themselves become correct.
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

I enjoy peace and people become honest.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

I prefer quiet, and the people right themselves
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

I keep silent,
and they do the right thing
on their own.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

If each of us held our peace, there would be no war or aggression. Wars (or arguments, for that matter) originate with language. You say this and I counter with that. You don't like what I think and I don't like what you say. Before we know it, our words have morphed into a battle of wits and, in some instances, physical battle.

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