Bit by Bit - Chapter 2, Part 18

Trey Smith

The understanding of the men of ancient times went a long way. How far did it go? To the point where some of them believed that things have never existed - so far, to the end, where nothing can be added. Those at the next stage thought that things exist but recognized no boundaries among them. Those at the next stage thought there were boundaries but recognized no right and wrong. Because right and wrong appeared, the Way was injured, and because the Way was injured, love became complete. But do such things as completion and injury really exist, or do they not?
~ Burton Watson translation ~

This paragraph reminds me of the first two lines of Verse 18 of the Tao Te Ching.

When the great Tao is forgotten,
Kindness and morality arise.

It is interesting that we place such great importance on morality when the need of a moral code best illustrates how far we have strayed from the original nature of Tao. I mean, who needs rules except rule breakers?

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