Tao te Ching

Ruling By Fear

People do not fear death
When they are forced to live
In hopeless misery,
Thereby the executioners are no threat
To fearless rebels
Who dare to make trouble.
They might even execute the executioners.

When people do fear death,
They do not defy the executioners at first.
But how long can the killings go on
Before those who fear death
Also become fearless?
Then, they too
Might execute the executioners.

By that time, the only ones left
Who might serve as the executioners
Would be the people themselves.
However, it is said that those who hew wood
In place of skilled carpenters
Are likely to cut their own hands.

Verse 74
Translator; Ralph Alan Dale
Photo; Cosmic Pearls