Topics · Mind & Meaning
Wisdom about ethics & morality.
What people have learned about ethics & morality the hard way, and what the classics said about it first.
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From the library
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.
Love sought is good, but given unsought is better.
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
All-pervading is the Great Tao! It may be found on the left hand and on the right.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works.
There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.
For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
In the Way of Heaven, there is no partiality of love; it is always on the side of the good man.
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
The play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king.
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
When these two do not injuriously affect each other, their good influences converge in the virtue (of the Tao).
The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
Conscience is but a word that cowards use, devised at first to keep the strong in awe.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Tao has of all things the most honoured place. No treasures give good men so rich a grace; Bad men it guards, and doth their ill efface.
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
(Its) admirable words can purchase honour; (its) admirable deeds can raise their performer above others. Even men who are not good are not abandoned by it.
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
Now arms, however beautiful, are instruments of evil omen, hateful, it may be said, to all creatures. Therefore they who have the Tao do not like to employ them.
Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.
Therefore the sages got their knowledge without travelling; gave their (right) names to things without seeing them; and accomplished their ends without any purpose of doing so.
Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
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 Tao, and is the beginning of stupidity.
Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Shall we then dispense with correction? The (method of) correction shall by a turn become distortion, and the good in it shall by a turn become evil. The delusion of the people (on this point) has indeed subsisted for a long time.
As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
He constantly (tries to) keep them without knowledge and without desire, and where there are those who have knowledge, to keep them from presuming to act (on it). When there is this abstinence from action, good order is universal.
Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
If this transformation became to me an object of desire, I would express the desire by the nameless simplicity. Simplicity without a name Is free from all external aim. With no desire, at rest and still, All things go right as of their will. PART II.
The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
All the world says that, while my Tao is great, it yet appears to be inferior (to other systems of teaching). Now it is just its greatness that makes it seem to be inferior. If it were like any other (system), for long would its smallness have been known!
I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.
When gold and jade fill the hall, their possessor cannot keep them safe. When wealth and honours lead to arrogancy, this brings its evil on itself. When the work is done, and one's name is becoming distinguished, to withdraw into obscurity is the way of Heaven.
Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
To him by whom this harmony is known, (The secret of) the unchanging (Tao) is shown, And in the knowledge wisdom finds its throne. All life-increasing arts to evil turn; Where the mind makes the vital breath to burn, (False) is the strength, (and o'er it we should mourn.)
Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
To those who are good (to me), I am good; and to those who are not good (to me), I am also good;—and thus (all) get to be good. To those who are sincere (with me), I am sincere; and to those who are not sincere (with me), I am also sincere;—and thus (all) get to be sincere.
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
Colour's five hues from th' eyes their sight will take; Music's five notes the ears as deaf can make; The flavours five deprive the mouth of taste; The chariot course, and the wild hunting waste Make mad the mind; and objects rare and strange, Sought for, men's conduct will to evil change.
The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
Tao when nursed within one's self, His vigour will make true; And where the family it rules What riches will accrue! The neighbourhood where it prevails In thriving will abound; And when 'tis seen throughout the state, Good fortune will be found. Employ it the kingdom o'er, And men thrive all around.
Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
When we renounce learning we have no troubles. The (ready) 'yes,' and (flattering) 'yea;'— Small is the difference they display. But mark their issues, good and ill;— What space the gulf between shall fill? What all men fear is indeed to be feared; but how wide and without end is the range of questions (asking to be discussed)!