When the greatness of the Tao is present
action arises from one’s own heart
When the greatness of the Tao is absent
action comes from the rules
of “kindness” and “justice”
If you need rules to be kind and just
if you "act" virtuous,
this is a sure sign that virtue is absent
Thus we see the great hypocrisy
Only when the family loses the harmony
do we hear of “dutiful” sons
Only when the state is in chaos
do we hear of “loyal ministers”
Verse 18 of the Tao Te Ching
Lao Tzu
Jonathan Star translation