In a hell-for-leather, success-and profit-oriented age similar to our own, Laozi saw deceit and treachery all around, and human nature twisted. Attempts to bring about moral improvement by positive exhortation, however well-meaning, usually failed to have the desired effect.
在相當於今日狂飆、功利的年代，老子見到爾虞我詐，人性被灼傷，正面推動教化的好意常達不到效果。