The Social Phenomenon of Tao

When the great Dao is abandoned,

benevolence and righteousness are emphasized.

When cleverness and intellect arise,

hypocrisy and deceit follow.

When family harmony is lost,

filial piety and compassion are praised.

When the nation falls into chaos,

loyal ministers are hailed as noble.

(This chapter reveals the deeper logic behind social phenomena: virtues like benevolence, filial piety, and loyalty emerge precisely because society has lost its natural harmony. Laozi suggests that in an ideal society governed by the Dao, such virtues would not need to be promoted, as harmony would arise effortlessly, without the need for artificial emphasis.)

Key Concepts:

大道 (dà dào) – “the great Dao” (the natural, harmonious order of the universe).

仁义 (rén yì) – “benevolence and righteousness” (virtues that arise in the absence of the Dao).

孝慈 (xiào cí) – “filial piety and compassion” (values emphasized when family harmony is lost).

忠臣 (zhōng chén) – “loyal ministers” (figures celebrated in times of national chaos).

Core Philosophy:

Laozi critiques the artificial promotion of virtues as a symptom of societal decay. In a world aligned with the Dao, harmony is innate, and virtues manifest naturally without the need for explicit emphasis. The chapter underscores the importance of returning to the Dao’s effortless balance rather than relying on superficial moral constructs.