Thanks for replying. Yeah, we don't exactly live in a healthy society. My comment is a riff on a saying of Lao-tzu that I was thinking of because we're replying to a thread on Asian family values. It goes something like, "Main street in rubble has charity and duty, wisdom and intelligence emerge where stupidity reigns, unhealthy families are left with obedience and commitment, and a corrupt ruling class with loyal servants."

If it's any consolation, Lao-tzu also says that character, or morality, or whatever you want to call it, starts with each individual. He says that healthy people have stable habits, good relationships, and respectful traditions, and that we can go far by recognizing and cultivating these virtues in ourselves, in our families, in our communities, in our nations, and in the world.