{
  "meta": {
    "schema_version": "1.1",
    "endpoint": "/api/sources/tao-te-ching/38-chapter-38.json"
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  "work": {
    "slug": "tao-te-ching",
    "name": "Tao Te Ching"
  },
  "parents": [],
  "chapter": {
    "num": 38,
    "slug": "38-chapter-38",
    "title": "Chapter 38 — Higher Virtue",
    "of": 81,
    "words": 271,
    "text": "## Chapter 38\n\n\n(Those who) possessed in highest degree the attributes (of the\nTao) did not (seek) to show them, and therefore they possessed them\n(in fullest measure). (Those who) possessed in a lower degree those\nattributes (sought how) not to lose them, and therefore they did not\npossess them (in fullest measure).\n\n(Those who) possessed in the highest degree those attributes did\nnothing (with a purpose), and had no need to do anything. (Those who)\npossessed them in a lower degree were (always) doing, and had need to\nbe so doing.\n\n(Those who) possessed the highest benevolence were (always seeking)\nto carry it out, and had no need to be doing so. (Those who)\npossessed the highest righteousness were (always seeking) to carry it\nout, and had need to be so doing.\n\n(Those who) possessed the highest (sense of) propriety were (always\nseeking) to show it, and when men did not respond to it, they bared\nthe arm and marched up to them.\n\nThus it was that when the Tao was lost, its attributes appeared;\nwhen its attributes were lost, benevolence appeared; when benevolence\nwas lost, righteousness appeared; and when righteousness was lost, the\nproprieties appeared.\n\nNow propriety is the attenuated form of leal-heartedness and good\nfaith, and is also the commencement of disorder; swift apprehension is\n(only) a flower of the Tao, and is the beginning of stupidity.\n\nThus it is that the Great man abides by what is solid, and eschews\nwhat is flimsy; dwells with the fruit and not with the flower. It is\nthus that he puts away the one and makes choice of the other.",
    "project_translation": false,
    "license": null,
    "methodology_url": null
  }
}