--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When the great Tao is abandoned…" description: "\"When the great Tao is abandoned, benevolence and righteousness arise.\" — Laozi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b6/laozi-147_abandoned_when-the-great-tao-is-abandoned-benevole_1337867.jpg" --- # When the great Tao is abandoned, benevolence and… ![“When the great Tao is abandoned, benevolence and righteousness arise.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b6/laozi-147_abandoned_when-the-great-tao-is-abandoned-benevole_1337867.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b6/laozi-147_abandoned_when-the-great-tao-is-abandoned-benevole_1337867.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b6/laozi-147_abandoned_when-the-great-tao-is-abandoned-benevole_1337867.jpg) > “When the great Tao is abandoned, benevolence and righteousness arise.” [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Abandoning the Tao leads to overemphasis on moral codes, causing conflict and rigidity. **In simple terms:** Without natural order, strict rules cause strife. Key Takeaway Seek balance, not forced morality. Themes philosophy ethics balance order conflict Mood contemplative serene thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - political leadership - education - personal conduct - community governance Key Concepts Taoism natural law social harmony Questions to Reflect On - What does “the Tao” mean to you? - How can you practice natural harmony in daily life? A Different Perspective Rigid moralism can suppress flexibility and compassion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Benevolence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benevolence/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness/) [Righteousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/righteousness/) [Tao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tao/) [Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism/) ## Related quotes > [“When the Great Tao (Way or Method) ceased to be observed, benevolence and righteousness came into vogue.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/when-the-great-tao-way-or-method-ceased-to-be-observed-benevolence/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [My description of wisdom has nothing to do with benevolence and righteousness, it is to do with being wise in one's own virtue, nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/my-description-of-wisdom-has-nothing-to-do-with-benevolence-and/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [It is fitting for a great nation to yield.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/it-is-fitting-for-a-great-nation-to-yield/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [No disaster is worse than being discontented.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/no-disaster-is-worse-than-being-discontented/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If you are at peace, you are living in the present.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-you-are-at-peace-you-are-living-in-the-present/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Better stop short than fill to the brim. Oversharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt. Amass a store of gold and jade,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/better-stop-short-than-fill-to-the-brim-oversharpen-the-blade-and-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In harmony with the Tao, the sky is clear and spacious, the earth is solid and full, all creature flourish together, content with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-harmony-with-the-tao-the-sky-is-clear-and-spacious-the-earth-is/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Why is the tao so valuable? Because it is everywhere, and everyone can use it. This is why those who seek will find, And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/why-is-the-tao-so-valuable-because-it-is-everywhere-and-everyone-can/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [That which offers no resistance can enter where there is no space.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/that-which-offers-no-resistance-can-enter-where-there-is-no-space/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [A man's excellence is like that of water; It benefits all things without striving; It takes to the low places shunned by men. Water…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/a-man-s-excellence-is-like-that-of-water-it-benefits-all-things/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If you want to accord with the Tao, just do your job, then let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-you-want-to-accord-with-the-tao-just-do-your-job-then-let-go/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-a-thing-inherent-and-natural-which-existed-before-heaven-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## More by Laozi > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-lightness-the-root-is-lost-in-haste-the-ruler-is-lost/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-the-sage-wants-to-stand-above-people-he-must-speak-to-them-from/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/goodie-goodies-are-the-thieves-of-virtue/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-that-humbles-himself-shall-be-preserved-entire-he-that-bends-shall/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Way of the Sage is to act but not to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-way-of-the-sage-is-to-act-but-not-to-compete/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/do-nondoing-strive-for-nonstriving-savor-the-flavorless-regard-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/without-looking-through-the-window-you-can-see-heaven-s-way/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? 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ISIS was created because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeb-bush/barack-obama-became-president-and-he-abandoned-iraq-he-left-and-when/) [Jeb Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeb-bush/) > [“The desperate loneliness is nothing compared to the torture of falling in love and then being abandoned.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-nuest/the-desperate-loneliness-is-nothing-compared-to-the-torture-of/) A.J. Nuest > [Through it all, this wild life on and off the road , through Jordanian deserts , Spanish islands, German prisons, Caribbean tax scams, halls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-burdon/through-it-all-this-wild-life-on-and-off-the-road-through-jordanian/) [Eric Burdon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-burdon/) > [I've never been keen on open adoption. 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