Tao Te #74 ~ Penalty

When the people are unafraid of death
can you frighten them with its prospect?
if you could inculcate a fear of demise
and cultivate a respect for life
perhaps we could open all eyes

or we could use cameras
to watch all the corners
and dispose of those who are strange or odd
but who will dare to do the job?

Perhaps we could engage professionals
to put out the "trash"
because to do it ourselves
would most likely be rash.

The skilled butcher can work fast
just like a carpenter good at his craft
but an amateur in the slaughterhouse
is most likely to lose his hand