When the Inner Truth of the Tao is Lost

A passage in Tao Teh Ching that sheds light on our inner, familial and political life

When the inner truth of the Tao is lost,
The outer code of morality comes into being.
When cleverness reigns in the world,
Hypocrisy becomes rampant;
When discord arises in the family,
Filiality is emphasized;
When chaos befalls the nation,
Respect is accorded to loyal subjects alone.

This morning, I came across this passage from The Book of Balance, Lao Tzu's …