58. No End
when government is lazy and informal
the people are kind and honest;
when government is efficient and severe
the people are discontented and deceitful.
good fortune follows upon disaster;
disaster lurks within good fortune;
who can say how things will end?
perhaps there is no end.
honesty is ever deceived;
kindness is ever seduced;
men have been like this for a long time. so the sage is firm but not cutting,
pointed but not piercing,
straight but not rigid,
bright but not blinding.