Superior Virtue is the Dao itself — undivided, complete, and beyond notions of “virtue” or “gain.” It embodies true integrity without striving. It acts without acting, flows without intention, merging seamlessly with the rhythm of ziran. No analysis taints its purity, no agenda mars its perfection.
“Superior Virtue does not claim virtue, thus it is virtuous.”
(Those who) possessed in highest degree the attributes (of the Dao) did not (seek) to show them, and therefore they possessed them (in fullest measure). (Those who) possessed in a lower degree those attributes (sought how) not to lose them, and therefore they did not possess them (in fullest measure).
(Those who) possessed in the highest degree those attributes did nothing (with a purpose), and had no need to do anything. (Those who) possessed them in a lower degree were (always) doing, and had need to be so doing.
(Those who) possessed the highest benevolence were (always seeking) to carry it out, and had no need to be doing so. (Those who) possessed the highest righteousness were (always seeking) to carry it out, and had need to be so doing.
(Those who) possessed the highest (sense of) propriety were (always seeking) to show it, and when men did not respond to it, they bared the arm and marched up to them.
Thus it was that when the Dao was lost, its attributes appeared; when its attributes were lost, benevolence appeared; when benevolence was lost, righteousness appeared; and when righteousness was lost, the proprieties appeared.
Now propriety is the attenuated form of leal-heartedness and good faith, and is also the commencement of disorder; swift apprehension is (only) a flower of the Dao, and is the beginning of stupidity.
Thus it is that the Great man abides by what is solid, and eschews what is flimsy; dwells with the fruit and not with the flower. It is thus that he puts away the one and makes choice of the other.
The Way of Superior Virtue
- Acts through non-action devoid of intention.
- Follows ziran — spontaneous naturalness — transcending analysis, judgment, or deliberate choice.
- Merges means and ends; its “purpose” is its very being.
Inferior Virtue
Inferior Virtue, though well-meaning, clings to virtue as an external ideal. It calculates, judges, and strains to “do good,” its efforts betraying a mind still fragmented by desire.
- Clings to virtue as a concept, laboring through analysis, judgment, and effort to “preserve” it.
- Operates with explicit agendas, reflecting fragmented understanding.
Hierarchy of Cultivation or Inferior Virtue
- Benevolence: Firm in purpose but still dualistic.
- Righteousness: Bound by rigid principles.
- Ritual Propriety: Degenerates into empty formalism—”Obsessing over rites, loyalty wanes, chaos begins”.
Benevolence burns with conviction but falters in flexibility. Righteousness hardens into dogma. Ritual, once a vessel of meaning, crumbles into hollow rites, all “how” and no “why.” Thus, the wise return to the Source: “When the Great Dao is forgotten, virtue becomes performance”.
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