How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Line)
Quote #4
High benevolence takes contrived action
And acts without agenda
High righteousness takes contrived action
And acts with agenda (38.9-12)
Oh, snap. This one seems to prove our point from that earlier quote about benevolence and righteousness. Acting without agenda in this context means that a person gives and is kind without any thought to what they might get in return. If a good sage gives somebody his or her last dime, they'd do it without ever expecting to get paid back.
Quote #5
Those who are good, I am good to them
Those who are not good, I am also good to them
Thus the virtue of goodness (49.3-5)
Sayings like this remind us a whole lot of the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. According to the Bible, Jesus also preached that we should be kind to everyone, whether they're our friends or enemies. These religions may have popped up thousands of miles away from each other, but at their core are they really that different?
Quote #6
Therefore the sages are:
Righteous without being scathing (38.13-14)
If you've ever had a sanctimonious lecture from somebody who thinks they're better than you, then you totally get where these lines are coming from. Taoism is all about self-discipline, but it's totally not about lecturing everybody else about how undisciplined they are. Just to ask a question, though... is there ever a time when a self-righteous lecture from someone has done you any good? Are they always a bad thing?