Chapter Chapter 38 · Chapter 38

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38. 1. (Those who) possessed in highest degree the attributes (of the

Tao) did not (seek) to show them, and therefore they possessed them

(in fullest measure). (Those who) possessed in a lower degree those

attributes (sought how) not to lose them, and therefore they did not

possess them (in fullest measure).

2. (Those who) possessed in the highest degree those attributes did

nothing (with a purpose), and had no need to do anything. (Those who)

possessed them in a lower degree were (always) doing, and had need to

be so doing.

3. (Those who) possessed the highest benevolence were (always seeking)

to carry it out, and had no need to be doing so. (Those who)

possessed the highest righteousness were (always seeking) to carry it

out, and had need to be so doing.

4. (Those who) possessed the highest (sense of) propriety were (always

seeking) to show it, and when men did not respond to it, they bared

the arm and marched up to them.

5. Thus it was that when the Tao was lost, its attributes appeared;

when its attributes were lost, benevolence appeared; when benevolence

was lost, righteousness appeared; and when righteousness was lost, the

proprieties appeared.

6. Now propriety is the attenuated form of leal-heartedness and good

faith, and is also the commencement of disorder; swift apprehension is

(only) a flower of the Tao, and is the beginning of stupidity.

7. Thus it is that the Great man abides by what is solid, and eschews

what is flimsy; dwells with the fruit and not with the flower. It is

thus that he puts away the one and makes choice of the other.