The second half of v3 lets more of that classic Confucianism hang out. Control, people, control. Rulers rule by keeping temptations to a minimum and making sure people have full bellies.
Well, now haven't we got that all out of whack? Fat and happy? We've got the full bellies and then some. But how much moral behavior can we ascribe to wise leadership? How much happiness?
"weakening ambitions and strengthening bones"? Fat and happy? This keeps the powerful in power. Overthrow of illegitimately powerful has come from the hungry (and the not so), the ones unafraid to sing together in direct confrontation of authority. Singing has nothing to do with intelligence and everything to do with common cause? Unity? A desire to make noise, when all else fails? We're not talking American Idol singing, either. I'm sure this old text will give me the opportunity to rant about that before all is through.
But we're not done yet. "If people lack knowledge and desire, then intellectuals will not try to interfere."
Interfere. With what? With the powerful rulers ruling? What if the powerful are the intellectu...I couldn't physically finish typing that question. Oops. Interfere. Meddle. Try to make things make sense. Improve things? Dislodge the powerful? Keep 'em fat, stupid and happy, then. Don't give them any reason to think.
And the very last line of Verse Three rings loud and clear and true and stupid. "If nothing is done, then all will be well." That seems to be the official elected official philosophy of the moment. Making sure nothing gets done. All will be well for the six rich guys in the country. The rest of us?
I never said I was any kind of Taoist, much less an orthodox one.
Sometimes I run harder because it feels good. Sometimes I run harder because I am pissed off.
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