The Crisis of Values in Contemporary Society

Recent reports reveal troubling trends among youth that demand our collective attention. A primary school graduate’s farewell message to classmates read: “I wish you drive BMWs, live in mansions, eat seafood, marry beauties, keep mistresses, and be a groom every night!” Another survey found over 90% of secondary students believe honest people suffer disadvantages in today’s society. These anecdotes expose a profound societal shift where material success and cunning appear to outweigh traditional virtues of integrity and simplicity.

This moral crossroads isn’t new. Throughout history, civilizations have grappled with the tension between short-term gains and lasting values. The ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi (6th century BCE) offered profound insights on this very dilemma through his concept of “spiritual orientation” in human relationships. His teachings on cultivating genuineness and rejecting superficiality remain strikingly relevant in our hyper-competitive, image-conscious world.

Laozi’s Philosophy of Authentic Living

At the heart of Laozi’s wisdom lies a simple yet radical proposition: true strength manifests in moral substance rather than clever manipulation. In Chapter 38 of the Tao Te Ching, he advises: “The great person dwells in thickness, not in thinness.” Ancient commentator Heshang Gong explains this “thickness” as living with unpretentious simplicity and sincerity.

Consider these fundamental questions about human relationships:

Would you willingly befriend the dishonest?
Conduct business with the untrustworthy?
Work under unscrupulous leadership?
Marry an unfaithful partner?
Raise children to become delinquents?

Most would instinctively reject these scenarios. Yet daily, people make choices that gradually erode these very principles. The third-century warlord Cao Cao famously declared, “Better I betray the world than let the world betray me”—an antithesis to Laozi’s vision. Where Cao represents pragmatic self-interest, Laozi advocates for what psychologist Carl Rogers would later call “congruence”—alignment between one’s values and actions.

The Business Case for Integrity

Modern skeptics might argue Laozi’s ideals falter in market economies where “all merchants are deceitful” (无商不奸) became proverbial wisdom. Yet contemporary examples disprove this cynical view. Take Li Ka-shing, Hong Kong’s legendary entrepreneur who transformed from penniless refugee to “Asia’s richest man.” His success stemmed from principles mirroring Laozi’s teachings—embodied in his name “Ka-shing” (嘉诚), meaning “praiseworthy sincerity.”

Li credited his mother’s early lessons: “Learn to give, be honest and keep promises.” His business philosophy emphasized that “transactions depend on others giving you opportunities” and “everyone in this world is shrewd”—requiring genuine relationship-building rather than manipulation. During a manufacturing crisis, Li’s public admission of mistakes and personal appeals to creditors saved his company through restored trust. “Honesty and credibility are life itself,” he reflected, “sometimes more important than one’s own life.”

This aligns with Laozi’s paradoxical wisdom: “Not displaying oneself, one is seen clearly; Not justifying oneself, one is distinguished; Not praising oneself, one has merit; Not boasting, one endures” (Chapter 22). Psychological research now confirms this—humility and vulnerability foster deeper connections, while arrogance often masks insecurity.

Royal Simplicity: Unexpected Models of Modesty

Even in privileged circles, authentic living shines through. When Princess Diana first dined with Prince Charles, she anticipated royal extravagance but received reheated leftovers—a deliberate王室 tradition. Queen Elizabeth II practiced weekly fasting, both for health and to honor the British maxim: “Wasting food defiles divinity; measured consumption embodies virtue.”

These examples illustrate Laozi’s companion principle: “Dwell in the fruit, not the flower” (处其实，不居其华). The “fruit” represents substance—nutrition that sustains—while the “flower” signifies transient beauty. Modern psychology echoes this in distinguishing intrinsic motivation (doing for personal meaning) from extrinsic (for status/rewards). Studies consistently show intrinsic orientation correlates with greater life satisfaction.

The High Cost of Vanity

History brims with cautionary tales about prioritizing appearance over essence. The 3rd-century aristocrat Shi Chong famously smashed a rare coral tree during a wealth contest, only to produce superior specimens from his collection. His eventual execution during political turmoil exemplified Laozi’s warning: “Gold and jade fill the halls—none can keep them” (Chapter 9).

Centuries later, Northern Wei’s Prince Yuan Chen boasted palaces with jade railings and golden buckets, sneering, “I don’t regret missing Shi Chong; Shi Chong should regret missing me!” His dynasty’s collapse rendered such boasts hollow. These historical vignettes reveal a persistent human folly—mistaking material accumulation for true success.

The Virtuous Circle of Trust

Beijing’s century-old Ruifuxiang Silk Shop demonstrated how integrity generates prosperity. After the 1900 Boxer Rebellion burned their ledgers, owners made an extraordinary announcement:

1. All debts owed by Ruifuxiang would be honored based on creditors’ records
2. All debts owed to Ruifuxiang were forgiven without proof

This radical integrity—losing doubly by paying owed sums while writing off receivables—defied conventional business logic. Yet it cemented Ruifuxiang’s reputation, attracting premium partnerships including favorable terms with British and Dutch trading houses. Their story embodies Laozi’s observation: “The Way of Heaven shows no favoritism, yet consistently supports the good” (Chapter 79).

Neuroscience now explains this phenomenon. When we act with integrity, the brain releases oxytocin—the “trust hormone”—in both giver and receiver, creating biological reinforcement for ethical behavior. This forms the neurochemical basis for Laozi’s insight that virtuous actions create their own momentum.

Cultivating Authenticity in the Digital Age

In our era of curated social media personas and “fake it till you make it” mentality, Laozi’s wisdom presents a countercultural challenge. The story of Abbot Yunji selecting his temple successor offers guidance. By giving disciples pre-cooked rice seeds (doomed to fail if planted), he tested their honesty. The monk who admitted failure inherited the abbacy, while the one who faked success was rejected.

This parable, which inspired Li Ka-shing during his business crisis, highlights a timeless truth: sustainable success grows from authenticity. Positive psychology research confirms that “values-congruent living” predicts well-being, while incongruence generates stress and dissatisfaction.

Practical Steps Toward Integrity

How might we apply these principles today?

1. Reflective Pauses: Regularly assess whether actions align with core values
2. Vulnerability: Like Li Ka-shing, acknowledge mistakes openly
3. Substance Over Show: Invest in meaningful relationships over social media metrics
4. Delayed Gratification: Reject shortcuts that compromise principles
5. Legacy Thinking: Consider how present choices affect future generations

As Laozi observed, the path of integrity isn’t always easy but yields lasting rewards. In a world often prioritizing thinness over thickness, flowers over fruit, his invitation endures: to build lives and societies grounded in the profound simplicity of authentic human connection. The choice remains ours—whether to grasp at glittering surfaces or cultivate enduring depth.