| 38.1.1 |
The highest virtue (is) not gaining Tao.
This is
why (it) has merit. |
| 38.1.2 |
The lower virtue (is) not losing the gaining of
Tao.
This is why (it) has no merit. |
| 38.1.3 |
High virtuous act (is by) letting go,
and (has)
no (cause) to act for. |
| 38.2.1 |
(Men of) high Ren [i.e. humanity and kindness]
do things (for others),
but (have) no (motive) to do (it) for
(them). |
| 38.2.2 |
(Men of) high Yi [i.e. self-sacrifice and
righteousness] do things (for some principles),
but (always) have
(principles) to act on. |
| 38.2.3 |
(Men of) high etiquette do things (according to
etiquette),
but no one responds to it.
Then (they) roll up
(their) sleeves and throw (themselves against) those (who violate
etiquette). |
| 38.3.1 |
So, after Tao is lost, then (there
is) virtue. |
| 38.3.2 |
After virtue is lost, then (there is)
Ren.
After Ren is lost, then (there is) Yi. |
| 38.3.3 |
After Yi is lost, then (there is)
etiquette. |
| 38.4.1 |
So
this etiquette,
(comes when) loyalty (and) trust is thin, and
(is) the head of disorder. |
|
Advancement (in) conceptualized
knowledge,
(is) the flowering of Tao, but the beginning of
foolishness. |
| 38.4.2 |
This is why a great mature man dwells in the
thick,
(and) not stays in the thin. |
|
Dwells in the fruit (of knowledge),
(and) not
stays in the flower (of Tao). |
| 38.4.3 |
So
depart from that and take this. |
