Tao Te – 38

wise ones are at one with wisdom
unforced wisdom
the foolish attempt to look wise
shallow morality

humane humans rest easy
in what is done
foolish people fret their work
always more to be done

kindness enacted completes
justice attempted misses important considerations
those imposing order find they have no followers

a loss of Tao leaves wisdom
a loss of wisdom leaves kindness
a loss of kindness leaves justice
a loss of justice leaves ritual

ritual is faith’s shell
sequential loyalty begins confusion
projecting the present as future a shiny trap
folly shows through

the wise are comfortable in the depths
moving through ten thousand surfaces
finding pleasure in a flower sustenance in the fruit
living season by season