Ancient wisdom

When a virtuous man does something,
He leaves nothing undone.
When a just man does something,
He leaves a great deal to be done.
When an authoritarian does something
And no one responds,
He rolls up his sleeves
In an attempt to enforce order.

When virtue is lost, there is Goodness.
When Goodness is lost, there is Kindness.
When Kindness is lost, there is Justice.
When Justice is lost, there is only ritual:
The husk of faith and loyalty,
The beginning of confusion.

Lao Tzu