When the great Tao is abandoned, benevolence and righteousness arise.
Interpretation
Abandoning the natural way leads to the emergence of artificial moral concepts.
This quote by Laozi suggests that when humanity moves away from the natural and harmonious path (the Tao), artificial constructs like benevolence and righteousness emerge. These constructs, though often viewed as positives, signify a loss of the intrinsic wisdom found in following the natural way of the universe. It reflects on the idea that societal norms and moralities can be distortions stemming from a disconnection from a deeper understanding of life.
In practice
In a discussion on moral philosophy, one might quote Laozi to highlight the importance of natural ethics over constructed morality.
If you understand others you are smart._x000D_ If you understand yourself you are illuminated._x000D_ If you overcome others you are powerful._x000D_ If you overcome yourself you have strength._x000D_ If you know how to be satisfied you are rich._x000D_ If you can act with vigor, you have a will._x000D_ If you don't lose your objectives you can be long-lasting._x000D_ If you die without loss, you are eternal.
When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.
Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.
In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it.
Rule your mind with serenity rather than with force and manipulation.
The word 'tolerance' once meant we all have the right to argue rationally for our deepest convictions in the public arena. Now it means those convictions are not even subject to rational debate.
From the very beginning, existentialism defined itself as a philosophy of ambiguity.
The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.
The Lord is greater than all: I have said enough.
Historians once assumed that when childhood mortality was high, people must not have loved their children very much; it would have been too painful. Research has since proved that assumption wrong.
Philosophers have not kept up with modern developments in science. Particularly physics.
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