which, without the directions of men, reaches equally everywhere as of its own accord.When natural disaster strikes -- flood, tornado, tsunami, earthquake, blizzard, hurricane , etc.-- we often see neighbor helping neighbor and stranger aiding stranger. Nobody goes on TV or radio to announce that compassionate action is needed. People from all walks of life and circumstances go to the disaster area to lend a helping hand and/or to provide emotional support to victims, even when they themselves are victims too.
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~
Men would need no more instruction and all things would take their course.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~
People will not need to force it; it will adjust by itself
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~
People will do the right thing without being told.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~
Why is it that this kind of selfless compassion only rears its head in such situations? Why don't we each act this way as a routine course of life? Why does it take disaster to bring out the best humanity has to give?
To view the Index page for this series to see what you may have missed or would like to read again, go here.
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