…about the Tao

When the greatness of Tao is present
actions arises from one’s own heart
When the greatness of Tao is absent
action comes from the rules of “kindness” and “justice”
If you need rules to be kind and just,
if you act virtuous,
this is a sure sign that virtue is absent
Thus we see the great hypocrisy

Only when the family loses its harmony
do we hear of “dutiful sons”
Only when the state is in chaos
do we hear of “loyal ministers”

…Verse 18 from “Tao Te Ching”
Lao-Tzu, translated by Jonathan Star
ISBN: 978-158542-618-8