the short of it:
Discontent never leads to contentment.
46. Moderation of Desire.
When the world has Tau (when Tau reigns in the empire), horses are used only for purposes of agriculture.
When the world has not Tau (when Tau dos not reign in the empire), war-horses are bred on the waste common.
There is no sin greater than giving rein to desire. There is no misery greater than discontent. There is no calamity more direful than the desire of possessing.
Therefore the sufficiency of contentment is an everlasting sufficiency.
46. ‘The Moderating of Desire or Ambition.’
46.1 When the Tao prevails in the world, they send back their swift horses to (draw) the dung-carts. When the Tao is disregarded in the world, the war-horses breed in the boarder lands.
46.2 There is no guilt greater than to sanction ambition; no calamity greater than to be discontented with one’s lot; no fault greater than the wish to be getting. Therefore the sufficiency of contentment is an enduring and unchanging sufficiency.
46. Moderation of Desire.
46.1 When the world possesses Reason, race horses are reserved for hauling dung. When the world is without Reason, war horses are bred in the common.
46.2 No greater sin than yielding to desire. No greater misery than discontent. No greater calamity than greed.
46.3 Therefore, [those] who [know] content’s content is always content.
the long of it:
The means define the ends (see also Chap 23). You’re either content or you’re not. You can’t be almost content. That’s the paradox. In different words, wanting begets wanting (Ames 149).
Governments that lust after peace and security misunderstand this paradox of peace, especially in the lead up to war.
-TB
