The 100 families all say “we are naturally so2”.C Notes A : 太 上 literally means “highest superior”, which is also a euphemism for the emperor (and so is extrapolated to rulers in general) B : in other words, he does not offer them lightly or often; this line is very difficult to translate, because WB uses a unique first symbol, while HSG&FY and GUO&MWD/B each use different symbols; however, the two earlier symbols can both mean “to scheme”, thus making a 4/5 majority in meaning; the rest of the sentence is so terse that it can be translated in numerous ways as well C : under the proper rulership, everyone thinks everything just naturally works out right Cross-references fear/afraid : #15, #20, #72, #74 not trusting enough : #23 accomplishing tasks : #2, #9, #34, #77 100 families : #5, #49 naturally so : #23, #25, #51, #64 Chapter Eighteen 大 道 廢 • 有 仁 義 慧智 出 • 有 大 偽 六 親 不 和 有 孝 慈 國 家 昏 亂 • 有 忠 臣 When the great Dao is abandoned, There exists kindness and morality. When intelligence and wisdom arise, There exists a great deal of deception. When the six relationships are not in harmony, There exists devoted children and loving parents. When the nation and the families are very confused, There exists loyal officials. When the great Dao is abandoned, There exists kindness* and morality*. [righteousness] When intelligence and wisdom*A arise, There exists a great deal of deceptionB. [false,fake] When the six relationships*C are not in harmony, There exists devoted children* and loving parents*. When the nation and the families are very confused2, There exists loyal* officials{ministers,subjects}. Notes By looking at all the sources, it is easy to see that this chapter grew more anti-Confucian over time! A : the MWD texts use “knowledge” (a non-Confucian term) instead of “wisdom”; this whole sentence is absent in GUO B : this symbol could also be interpreted as hypocrisy, pretense, lying, dishonesty, etc. C : the six relationships refer to “all” the possible kinds of relationship in a family (in ancient China) : husband to wife, wife to husband, father to son, son to father, older brother to younger brother, younger brother to older brother Cross-references great Dao : #34, #53 nation and families : #57 anti-Confucian : #3, #19, #27, #33, #38 Chapter Nineteen 絕 聖 棄 智 民 利 百 倍 • 絕 仁 棄 義 民 復 孝 慈 • 絕 巧 棄 利 盜 賊 無 有 • 此 三 者以 為 文 不 足 • (•)故 令 有 所 屬 • 見 素 抱 樸 少 私 寡 欲 • Renounce sacredness, abandon wisdom, And the citizens benefit 100-fold. Renounce kindness, abandon morality,