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If one has lost the Way, there is still integrity. If that is lost, there is kindness. If kindness is lost, there is still justice. If justice is lost, all that is left is rules of conduct. 

We spend much of our time, energy, and resources creating, codifying, and enforcing rules of conduct, which in this list is set as the lowest bar. It’s the most easily quantified, so there is that advantage.

In Star’s translation, he says that when men rely on rules for guidance, ignorance abounds. 

Maybe following the rules is the least we can do.