Chapter 19, Dao De Jing by Laozi
"If we could renounce our sageness and discard our wisdom, it would be better for the people a hundredfold.
If we could renounce our benevolence and discard our righteousness, the people
would again become filial and kindly.
If we could renounce our artful contrivances and discard our scheming for gain,
there would be no thieves nor robbers.
Those three methods of government
Thought olden ways in elegance did fail
And made these names their want of worth to veil;
But simple views,
And courses plain and true
Would selfish ends and many lusts eschew."
- Translated by
James Legge, 1891,
Chapter 19
"End sagacity; abandon knowledge
The people benefit a hundred times End benevolence; abandon righteousness
The people return to piety and charity End cunning; discard profit
Bandits and thieves no longer exist These three things are superficial and insufficient
Thus this teaching has its place:
Show plainness; hold simplicity
Reduce selfishness; decrease desires"
- Translated by Derek Linn, 2006, Chapter 19
"Do away with learning, and grief will not be known.
Do away with sageness and eject wisdom, and the people will be more benefited a hundred times.
Do away with benevolence and eject righteousness, and the people will return to filial duty and parental love.
Do away with artifice and eject gains and there will be no robbers and theives.
These four, if we consider them as a culture, are not sufficient.
Therefore let there be what the people can resort to:
Appear in plainness and hold to simplicity;
Restrain selfishness and curtail desires."
- Translated by
Ch'u Ta-Kao, 1904, Chapter 19
"If the people renounce self-control and reject wisdom,
Let them gain simplicity and purity
If the people renounce duty to man and reject right conduct,
Let them return to filial piety deep, deep in the heart.
If they renounce skill and leave off search for profit,
Let them rob and by violence take possession of spiritual life.
These three things do not help our progress.
Therefore now let us seek
To perceive simplicity,
To conserve beauty in the heart,
To curb selfishness and to have few desires."
- Translated by Isabella Mears, 1916, Chapter 19
"Banish learning, discard knowledge:
People will gain a hundredfold.
Banish benevolence, discard righteousness:
People will return to duty and compassion.
Banish skill, discard profit:
There will be no more thieves.
These three statements are not enough.
One more step is necessary.
Look at plain silk; hold uncarved wood.
The self dwindles; desires fade."
- Translated by
Stephen Addis, 1993, Chapter 19
"Return to Innocence
Huan Ch'un
Forswear wisdom, discard knowledge,
And the people will gain a hundredfold.
Forswear benevolence, discard righteousness,
And the people will recover filial and parental love.
Forswear skill, discard profit,
And thieves and robbers will not appear.
These three steps are inadequate for culture.
They, therefore, have to encompass some others,
Such as:
Display plainness, embrace simplicity,
Reduce selfishness, and decrease desires."
- Translated by
Henry Wei, 1982, Chapter 19
"Therefore - If we ignore intricate learning and knowledge of petty distinctions, we shall be many times better off.
If we neglect to insist upon the formal proprieties of etiquette, our intuitive sympathies will return.
If we abolish opportunities for profiteering "within the law," incentive for political corruption will disappear.
If the foregoing three principles are unclear, then at least the following are understandable:
Simply be yourself.
Act naturally.
Refrain from self-assertiveness.
Avoid covetousness."
- Translated by
Archie J. Bahm, 1958, Chapter 19
"Abandon knowledge, discard wisdom.
The
people will gain a hundred fold.
Abandon the humanities, discard righteousness.
The people will
return to filial love.
Abandon cleverness, discard gain.
Robbers and thieves will be no
more.
These three, being considered not sufficiently aesthetic,
therefore many other devices were added.
Better observe simplicity, encourage primitiveness, lessen the
number of private projects, and moderate desire."
- Translated by
C.
Spurgeon Medhurst, 1905, Chapter 19
Chapter 19, Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
Concordance to the Tao Te Ching (2018 Project)
How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise Persons
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