Chapter 2 Section 2 Declining society, sad mood

The social turmoil in the Spring and Autumn Period was brewing a huge change in the social system.The old slavery began to decline, and the new feudal system gradually emerged.Laozi has been an official of the Zhou Dynasty for a long time. What he saw first was the decline of the old order and the decline of the Zhou Dynasty. Lao Tzu wrote in his book: Colorful colors dazzle people's eyes; wonderful music deafens people's ears; rich food hurts people's appetite.People rode wildly through the hunting grounds, doing all kinds of crimes for rare treasures.The fields are barren and the warehouses are empty, but the princes and nobles live in majestic and neat palaces, wear gorgeous clothes, wear sharp swords, eat endless exquisite food, and have innumerable wealth.Like bandit leaders, they persecuted the people so that they could not live in peace and blocked the people's way of earning a living.They often fought wars, and even pregnant mares were conscripted to be war horses and could not be used for farming;The common people couldn't survive, so they rebelled one after another.The ruler killed them, but it was ineffective. Laozi said: "The people are not afraid of death, so why should they be afraid of death." (Chapter 74 of "Laozi") Laozi warned the ruler that when the people are not afraid of threats, terrible things It's about to happen.He hoped that the ruler would seriously consider this issue and have a correct solution.

Lao Tzu said that the reason why the people live in poverty and fall into famine is because there are too many taxes and miscellaneous taxes, and the people's burden is too heavy: "The hunger of the people is the hunger because of the high tax on food." ("Lao Zi" Chapter 75 ) The reason why the people are difficult to rule and often cause trouble is because the ruler has too much desire and disturbs the people.Today they will repair gardens, tomorrow they will build palaces, the day after tomorrow they will hunt, and the day after tomorrow they will fight wars.The rulers desperately enjoy and maintain themselves desperately, forcing the people to take risks with their own lives.

The country is in chaos, so there are loyal ministers; the family is in chaos, and the family can't live in harmony, so there are filial sons.The appearance of loyal ministers and filial sons is not a good thing, but a sign of social disorder. Lao Tzu advised those rulers not to desperately pursue enjoyment, not to take care of themselves too much, and not to force the people to live.Lao Tzu pointed out to those rulers: Those who do not value life are wiser than those who value life too much. Lao Tzu lived in an era where most people believed in the way of heaven.The way of heaven is actually a variety of natural phenomena. They think that there is some meaning in it, and it is God's instruction to people.Lao Tzu believes that natural phenomena do not contain instructions from gods to people, but still believes that the way of heaven is an example that people should follow.Lao Tzu said, how good is the way of heaven. The way of heaven is only beneficial to all things, but it does not harm them: "The way of heaven is beneficial but not harmful." (Chapter 81 of "Lao Tzu") You see, the sun comes out and shines on the earth; When the spring breeze blows, everything grows.The way of heaven also reduces those who have excess and replenishes what is insufficient: "The way of heaven damages what is excess and makes up for what is insufficient." (Chapter 77 of "Laozi") For example, tigers and wolves have claws and claws, and they are not given horns; cattle and sheep eat Grass gets bullied so much, so give them horns so they can defend themselves.Humanity is just the opposite.Humanity diminishes those who are deficient and replenishes those who have a surplus: "The way of man is not the same. The damage is not enough to give the surplus." (Chapter 77 of "Lao Tzu") The strong bully the weak, and the strong country bullies the weak.The rich are powerful and rich, but they still bully others.How incomprehensible these phenomena are!

The society is in crisis, and the ruler is so unsatisfactory, which makes Lao Tzu feel sad and depressed.He said that people are so carefree and joyful, as if they are attending a grand banquet, or as if they are climbing high in spring and looking far away.I am alone, but indifferently, indifferent to everything, like a baby who can't laugh, like a homeless and exhausted orphan.People seem to be so clear and clear, but how can I be so clumsy and confused!Am I a fool? No!Lao Tzu said, I am different from others because I have obtained the Tao.