故大道廢 案有仁義
[gu4] [da4] [dao4] [fei4] [an4] [you3] [ren2] [yi4]
Thus [when] the great Dao is lost [abandoned, stopped, revoked], then there can be kindness and compassion
大道廢，有仁義﹔
[da4] [dao4] [fei4]， [you3] [ren2] [yi4]﹔
[When] the great Dao is lost [abandoned, stopped, revoked], there can be kindness and compassion
When the Dao is lost, then there can still be kindness and compassion. This can also be argued to say that the loss of the Dao leads to the birth of kindness and compassion. Chapter 17 has a cycle where the falling away from the Dao leads back into the Dao. Both of these make sense and fit the rest of the Daodejing, so ultimately, it makes little difference how you take it. It can be a beacon of optimism in the darkest days, or a cycle leading from the darkness back to the light of the Dao, either way, hope is on the horizon and change will come.
知快出 案有大僞
[zhi1] [kuai4] [chu1] [an4] [you3] [da4] [wei3]
When knowledge shows up [appears], then there is great falsehood
智慧出，有大偽﹔
[zhi4] [hui4] [chu1]， [you3] [da4] [wei3]﹔
When intelligence shows up [appears], there is great falsehood
These section follows up on the previous and adds another seeming contradiction. Like in Chapter 11 or Chapter 14, this section uses contradictions to show the irony of reason and logic in the natural order of the Dao. When intelligence shows up, then falsehood, deceit, and lies can exist.
Intelligence is typically a good trait, but Chapter 3 shows the what seemingly good things can lead to in the following: “Not elevating those who are virtuous, causes the people to not fight; not valuing that which is hard to acquire causes the people to not steal; not showing off that which is desirable causes the people to not be at unease.” Intelligence is not bad in itself, but it is coveted and it is something which leads to an edge which others may be jealous of or seek.
People will lie to fake intelligence. People who are intelligent will lie to maintain or get power. The damage is not in the act of being intelligent, but in the disparity between those who are intelligent and those who are not. A seemingly positive trait is a double-edged sword when it is not universal.
六親不和 案有畜慈
[liu4] [qin1] [bu4] [he2] [an4] [you3] [xu4] [ci2]
[When] close family relationships are out of harmony, then there can be filial piety and [parental] love
六親不和，有孝慈﹔
[liu4] [qin1] [bu4] [he2]， [you3] [xiao4] [ci2]﹔
[When] close family relationships are out of harmony, there can be filial piety and [parental] love
When close family relationships are out of harmony, there can be filial piety and parental love. Family relationships should be close and loving when in harmony with nature. The chaos of a dysfunctional family, when known to be dysfunctional, typically leads to a swinging back to the natural order. A person who is raised in a bad family, who knows what is wrong and why, will try to build a new life for their children.
邦家亂 案有貞臣
[bang1] [jia1] [luan4] [an4] [you3] [zhen1] [chen2]
[When] the nation is in disorder, then there can be loyal officials
國家昏亂，有忠臣。
[guo2] [jia1] [hun1] [luan4]， [you3] [zhong1] [chen2]。
[When] the nation is in disorder, there can be loyal officials
Disorder in government leads to people wanting change and supporting change. When there is rampant corruption, people are disheartened with the government and with officials. This can lead to more people trying to either become officials or bringing down the government to replace it when it crosses a threshold. Chaos is the catalyst for growth and harmony. The negative leads to the positive, and the positive to the negative. Yin and Yang cycle through and through.