Tao Te Ching Verse 17: Leading with the Tao

Send us a textTao Te Ching Verse 17:Translated by James LeggeIn the highest antiquity, (the people) did not know that there were (their rulers). In the next age they loved them and praised them. In the next they feared them; in the next they despised them. Thus it was that when faith (in the Tao) was deficient (in the rulers) a want of faith in them ensued (in the people).How irresolute did those (earliest rulers) appear, showing (by their reticence) the importance which they set upon their w...