Wen Tzu - Verse 31, Part II

from Verse Thirty-One

Embracing virtue, they are warm and harmonious, thereby following Heaven, meeting with the Way, and being near to virtue. They do not start anything for profit or initiate anything that would cause harm. Death and life cause no changes in the self, so it is called the most spiritual.

~ Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries ~

Imagine a world of no profits. Sounds kind of communist, doesn't it? It's not the American Way!!!

But we would err if we merely considered the notion from the viewpoint of economics. If we lived in such a society, it would mean that none of us -- in every aspect of our lives -- would seek an advantageous gain from any thought or act. Like the rain, we would pour ourselves out to any and all. Like the sun, we would shine our radiance on the friendly and the unfriendly. Like the breeze, we would cool the very needy and those with few needs.

The problem with profit is that it seeks to take in more than we need. It is a mentality that's built upon the edifice that enough is NEVER enough. No matter how much we gain, we always want more -- more baubles, more status, more riches, more power. And it's because enough is never enough that the life of profit becomes a mindless treadmill that keeps moving faster and faster.

This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.