On Virtue

"The superior virtue is not (distinguished) virtue, and therefore it has (the essence of) virtue. The inferior virtue does not lose (the distinction of) virtue, and therefore it has no (essential) virtue. The superior virtue does not act a part, and makes no pretensions. The inferior virtue acts a part, and makes pretensions. The superior benevolence does act, but it does not make pretensions. The superior justice both acts and makes pretensions. The superior propriety acts a part, and nobody responds to it (nobody respects it as genuine); so it bares its arm and enacts itself by main force. Thus it is that, when Tau is lost, virtue comes after; when virtue is lost, benevolence comes after; when benevolence is lost, justice comes after; when justice is lost, propriety comes after. For propriety is the mere skeleton (the attenuation) of fidelity and faith, and the precursor of confusion. Surface-knowledge is the mere show (the flowers) of Tau, and the beginning of folly. Accordingly the great man abides by the solid, and never rests in what is flimsy. He abides by the real, and never rests in what is showy (the flowers). For he puts away the one, that he may lay hold of the other."