Quotation by

Lao Tzu

If the Great Way perishes there will morality and duty. When cleverness and knowledge arise great lies will flourish. When relatives fall out with one another there will be filial duty and love. When states are in confusion there will be faithful servants

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Understanding this quote AI Analysis

Lao Tzu suggests that when the natural, simple path is lost, people create rules and duties like morality to try to restore order. He also points out that cleverness can lead to deception, family conflicts bring about forced expressions of love, and political chaos results in loyalty from servants, all of which are signs of a deeper imbalance.

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