And in this way he loses his virtue. Dao De Jing , Book 38 Poem 38 and others dealing with the paradox of unwilled higher virtue have misled many literalists. For instance, during the 1970s the American Hippie Movement lived by the Dao De Jing as literally and intentionally as it may have ever been attempted. Those who criticized the Hippies were reminiscent of critics in China who made Daoism akin to immorality and a cult of ignorance. In ancient times those who practiced Dao well Did not seek to enlighten the people, but to make them ignorant.
People are difficult to govern because they have too much knowledge.
Therefore he who rules the state through knowledge is a robber of the state. And with it all things return to their original natural state. Then complete harmony will be reached. Daoist teachers who have experienced meaning and purpose, according to their own particular religious path or way of perceiving, can use the Dao De Jing to guide others to their experiences. The following chapter will explore each Daoist modality as if each arises from the Dao Da Jing .