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Chapter

38

上德不德,是以有德;下德不失德,是以无德。
上德无为而无以为。下德无为而有以为。上仁为之而无以为。上义为之而有以为。上礼为之而莫之应,则攘臂而扔之。
故失道而后德,失德而后仁,失仁而后义,失义而后礼。夫礼者,忠信之薄,而乱之首。
前识者,道之华,而愚之始。是以大丈夫处其厚,不居其薄;处其实,不居其华。故去彼取此。

Men of higher virtue do not exhibit their virtue; that is why they have virtue. Men of inferior virtue exhibit their virtue; therefore they have no virtue.
Men of higher virtue practice "Wuwei" (no-constrain) without thinking about it. Men of inferior virtue practice "Wuwei" with intention. Men of a higher humanity practice "Youwei" ("constrain") without intent. Men of higher equity practice "Youwei" with intent. Men claiming higher discipline practice "Youwei" and no one responds; so they use violence to force obedience.
This is why one claims virtue after having lost the Tao; of humanity after losing virtue; equity after losing humanity; discipline after losing equity. Request for discipline is only the consequence of decline in loyalty and sincerity; it is source of disorder.
Foresight only grasps the false appearance of the Tao and this is the beginning of ignorance. This is why a great man leans on the kernel (of the Tao) and not the husk. He values substance and leaves the appearance. This is why he rejects the one and adopts the other.

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