Fifty-Eight


When government does not interfere, the people are genuine.
When government intrudes, the people are cunning.

Happiness is founded on misery.
Misery lurks within happiness.
Is there an end to it?
Nothing stays the same.

Honesty moves with deceit, good flows with evil,
but people’s delusion persists.

Thus, the sage is sharp, but not divisive,
straightforward, but not hurtful,
principled, but not severe,
illumined but not blinding.