Skip to main content

A verse shared with you

Tao Te Ching · Ch. 18

大道廢,有仁義;智慧出,有大偽;六親不和,有孝慈;國家昏亂,有忠臣。

Dà dào fèi, yǒu rén yì; Zhì huì chū, yǒu dà wèi; Liù qīn bù hé, yǒu xiào cí; Guó jiā hūn luàn, yǒu zhōng chén.

When the great Tao is abandoned, benevolence and righteousness appear. When wisdom and cleverness emerge, great hypocrisy arises. When the six family relationships are in discord, filial piety and parental love are proclaimed. When the state falls into confusion and disorder, loyal ministers appear.

— Tao Te Ching 18

Source: Wang Bi edition (Chinese) + Hanyu Pinyin transliteration

Read this — and the whole library — in SoulVriti

Read wisdom from many traditions in a calm web reader, with translations, transliteration, and reflection. A connection is required on the web.

Read in SoulVriti