God Quotes
When goodness is lost there is morality.
"When goodness is lost there is morality."— Lao Tzu
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Meaning of this quote
The passage treats imposed moral rules as a substitute after a more natural goodness has declined.
Key takeaway:
Ask whether a rule supports care or merely displays it.
Origin of the quote
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 38, Stephen Mitchell version.
Who actually said this?
VerifiedThe sentence is present in this modern English rendering. The surrounding passage distinguishes Tao, goodness, morality, and ritual.
