“ The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be. The more weapons you have, the less secure people will be. ”
Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching (4th century BC). copy citation
| Author | Lao Tzu |
|---|---|
| Source | Tao Te Ching |
| Topic | virtue weapons security prohibition |
| Date | 4th century BC |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by Stephen Mitchell |
| Weblink | https://terebess.hu/english/tao/mitchell.html |
Context
“That is why it endures.
57 If you want to be a great leader, you must learn to follow the Tao.
Stop trying to control.
Let go of fixed plans and concepts, and the world will govern itself. The more prohibitions you have,
the less virtuous people will be.
The more weapons you have, the less secure people will be.
The more subsidies you have, the less self-reliant people will be. Therefore the Master says:
I let go of the law, and people become honest.” source
57 If you want to be a great leader, you must learn to follow the Tao.
Stop trying to control.
Let go of fixed plans and concepts, and the world will govern itself. The more prohibitions you have,
the less virtuous people will be.
The more weapons you have, the less secure people will be.
The more subsidies you have, the less self-reliant people will be. Therefore the Master says:
I let go of the law, and people become honest.” source
