19 絕聖棄智 民利百倍

老子道德經第十九章

絕聖棄智 民利百倍
絕仁棄義 民復孝慈
絕巧棄利 盜賊無有
此三者以為文 不足
故令有所屬： 見素抱樸 少私寡欲

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NINETEEN (Feng)

Give up sainthood, renounce wisdom,
And it will be a hundred times better for everyone.

Give up kindness, renounce morality,
And men will rediscover filial piety and love.

Give up ingenuity, renounce profit,
And bandits and thieves will disappear.

These three are outward forms alone; they are not sufficient in themselves.
It is more important
To see the simplicity,
To realize one's true nature,
To cast off selfishness
And temper desire.

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19

Renounce wisdom, and people will benefit greatly.
Discard morality, and people will rediscover love.
Abandon ingenuity and profit, and crimes will disappear.
These three adornments are what Confucius teaches.
Not worthy.

Lao Tsu says,
Let people find their own paths:
Simplicity in action, purity in heart,
Moderation in self-interest and desire.