Being-deity,
A man is born to hold in his arms the utmost kindness.
Love is born in his bones.
When things become mischievous,
Having benevolence become evident,
Following harmony, it becomes subtle;
When things grow old,
He who is so full of righteous power,
Becomes one with All-Heaven.
Long ago,
He who were called a high-priest,
Was referred to as an enemy to humanity.
other readings further drafts from the same generation
deeper strata where the meaning thins
the original
1. In the highest antiquity, (the people) did not know that there
were (their rulers). In the next age they loved them and praised
them. In the next they feared them; in the next they despised them.
Thus it was that when faith (in the Tao) was deficient (in the rulers)
a want of faith in them ensued (in the people).
2. How irresolute did those (earliest rulers) appear, showing (by
their reticence) the importance which they set upon their words!
Their work was done and their undertakings were successful, while the
people all said, 'We are as we are, of ourselves!'