Why are the people starving?
Because those above them are taxing them too heavily.
That is why they are starving.
Why are the people so hard to manage?
Because those above them are fussy and have private ends to serve.
That is why they are hard to manage.
Why do the people make light of death?
Because those above them make too much of life.
That is why they make light of death.
The people simply have nothing to live upon!
They know better than to value such a life!
“
| — | Tao Te Ching #75, trans. John C.H. Wu |
