# Signs of relationships under strain: summary

Relates proclamations of virtue to a loss of the Way and disorder in relationships.

https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/laozi/chapter-18-signs-of-relationships-under-strain

## Source and summary

[Laozi · Dao De Jing · Signs of relationships under strain](https://zh.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=%E9%81%93%E5%BE%B7%E7%B6%93%20%28%E7%8E%8B%E5%BC%BC%E6%9C%AC%29&oldid=2354026#%E5%8D%81%E5%85%AB%E7%AB%A0)

> 大道廢，有仁義；

Relates proclamations of virtue to a loss of the Way and disorder in relationships.

## Editorial interpretation

The example below adapts this chapter’s questions to modern work. Evaluate it against the actual purpose and conditions; ancient politics, warfare or ethics do not establish business results.

## Business application

If calls for cooperation grow while coordination worsens, inspect incentives and barriers to sharing information.

1. Choose one relevant case and record its objective, available resources, verified facts and unknowns.
2. Compare options using this chapter’s perspective; choose a limited trial, owner, deadline and a measure to assess the result.

Deliverable: A comparison using signs of relationships under strain, with conditions for acting or declining.

## Limits

The summary selects main points rather than translating every sentence. The example is not a demonstrated business method; check it against stakeholders’ conditions and actual evidence.

## Validation question

How does this chapter’s perspective change the selected option or priority, and what further evidence could change the decision?

[Laozi: a guide to the Dao De Jing](https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/laozi)

[This material](https://sakimyto.com/classics-data/entries/laozi/chapter-18-signs-of-relationships-under-strain.en.md)

Updated: 2026-10-13 · v1.0.0