lnhammer: the Chinese character for poetry, red on white background (Default)
lnhammer ([personal profile] lnhammer) wrote2024-08-28 07:18 am

Dao De Jing, chapter 18

When the Great Way was abandoned,
We then had [i.e., valued] benevolence and righteousness;
When intelligence and cleverness emerged,
We then had great deceit;
When the six kinships lost harmony,
We then had filial piety and parental affection;
When the states descended into chaos,
We then had loyal officials.

大道废,
有仁义;
智慧出,
有大伪;
六亲不和,
有孝慈;
国家昏乱,
有忠臣。

Another pithy jab at Confucianism and similar systems: “we wouldn’t need to stress all these ethical principles if we just followed the Way.” All the whens and thens were understood from the usual “other texts,” which have the conjunctions.

---L.

Post a comment in response:

If you don't have an account you can create one now.
No Subject Icon Selected
More info about formatting