Verse 18
When the greatness of Tao is present
action 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"
action 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"
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