“ If a country is governed with repression, the people are depressed and crafty. ”
Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching (4th century BC). copy citation
| Author | Lao Tzu |
|---|---|
| Source | Tao Te Ching |
| Topic | depression government repression |
| Date | 4th century BC |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by Stephen Mitchell |
| Weblink | https://terebess.hu/english/tao/mitchell.html |
Context
“I let go of economics, and people become prosperous.
I let go of religion, and people become serene.
I let go of all desire for the common good, and the good becomes common as grass.
58 If a country is governed with tolerance, the people are comfortable and honest.
If a country is governed with repression, the people are depressed and crafty. When the will to power is in charge,
the higher the ideals, the lower the results.
Try to make people happy, and you lay the groundwork for misery.” source
I let go of religion, and people become serene.
I let go of all desire for the common good, and the good becomes common as grass.
58 If a country is governed with tolerance, the people are comfortable and honest.
If a country is governed with repression, the people are depressed and crafty. When the will to power is in charge,
the higher the ideals, the lower the results.
Try to make people happy, and you lay the groundwork for misery.” source
Meaning and analysis
