[Note: I italicize phrases I borrow from the chapter, and link to phrases I borrow from other chapters to help tie chapters together. While making it more tedious to read, the Tao Te Ching is best pondered in the context of the whole.

What's the empire anyway? At a minimum, that of which we are aware. Being something of a minimalist I just leave it at that. I tend to ruin it and lose it when my life shifts from actions balanced by careful observation toward action alone which leads to laying hold and meddling. Excess, extravagance, and arrogance always results when I am thus ignorant of the constant. It sure helps being alive to [this] difficulty! However, it truly helps to remember that if I would let go of a thing, I must first lay hold of it. As all is as it should be, why contend?

Is the literal Chinese more obtuse than usual, or is it just me today?
command (lead, support, take) desire seek heaven under and do (act) of,
we see its have to (have no alternative but to).
heaven under god (spirit, mind) implements (capacity, talent),
not can do (act, act as, mean, serve as) also (as well),
doer lose (fail, decay) of, holder (grasper, manager) lose (miss, mistake) of.
man thing perhaps (or, someone) go (prevail, do, circulate) perhaps follow (to comply with, to allow)
perhaps (or, someone) _?_ perhaps (or) blow (puff, boast, brag, break up)
perhaps (or) stubborn (unyielding) perhaps (or) win (beat, gain profit),
perhaps (or) oppress (fail, lower, dampen) perhaps (or) destroy (overthrow, ruin).
is because wise man go (leave; remove; get ride of) very (extremely, more than),
go (leave; remove; get ride of) excessive, go (leave; remove; get ride of) safe (peaceful, extreme, most).

Anyway, I did my best to untangle some knots, making it less obtuse perhaps?
Seeking to control anything under heaven is futile, and continues without end.
All things under heaven are mind only, and serving a purpose, nothing can be done.
The doing of anything decays, the grasping of anything loses.
Things perhaps prevail, perhaps follow.
Perhaps talk, perhaps boast.
Perhaps are stubborn, perhaps win.
Perhaps oppress, perhaps overthrow.
Thus a wise man leaves 'very' alone,
Leaves 'the excessive' and 'the safe' behind.

It was sure tempting to follow along the lines of the usual translation, e.g., Some are strong and some are weak; etc. It would make more 'yin yang' sense. However, the more literal points to a more subtle (though parallel) view. So ponder it some, and let it soak into the cracks between thought. Remember though, I'm either a heretic, a blathering fool, mysteriously comprehending, or a bit of all three. But, look in the mirror... aren't we all. In other words, we know more than we 'know', but less than we think. Perhaps this is why no one in the world can understand?... except the Pope, of course Aren't we an odd bunch?