The return to simplicity of the Tao

My teachings are profoundly simple to understand and easy to practice,

yet none in this world truly comprehend them or put them into action.

My words stem from the Source (宗 zong), my acts align with the Cosmic Principle (君 jun).
Precisely because the world remains ignorant of this, they cannot grasp my true intent.

The fewer who understand me, the more precious those who follow me become.
Thus, the sage wears coarse hemp garments yet harbors jade-like virtues within—
outwardly humble, inwardly treasuring the essence of Dao.

Notes:

"Words stem from the Source / acts align with the Cosmic Principle" for 言有宗，事有君:
- 宗 (zong) as "Source" denotes the primordial origin of Dao.
- 君 (jun) as "Cosmic Principle" reflects the natural order governing action.
- Parenthetical Pinyin preserves conceptual specificity.

"Wears coarse hemp garments yet harbors jade-like virtues" for 被褐怀玉:
- Maintains the garment/jade metaphor to illustrate the Daoist paradox of external humility (俭 frugality) and internal richness (三宝 Three Treasures).

Layered meaning of "few understand me" (知我者希):
- Literal: Rare are those comprehending Daoist subtlety.
- Philosophical: True understanding requires transcending conventional logic.

Logical connectors:
- "Precisely because... cannot grasp" (正因...才) strengthens the cause-effect framework.
- "The fewer... the more precious" (越是...越是) mirrors the original comparative structure.

Doctrinal coherence:
- "Jade-like virtues" implicitly references Chapter 67' Three Treasures (Compassion-Frugality-Humility).
- "Essence of Dao" (道之精 dao zhi jing) ties to the core concept of 宝 (treasures).

Key Terminology System:
- 道 = Dao (italicized in academic contexts)
- 三宝 = Three Treasures (capitalized as proper noun)
- 宗 = Source/Cosmic Root
- 君 = Cosmic Principle/Natural Mandate
- 被褐怀玉 = External humility, internal cultivation (standardized Daoist idiom)

Philosophical Subtext:
This translation foregrounds Laozi's central paradox—truths appearing simplest often prove most elusive to minds conditioned by worldly complexity. The sage's "coarse garments" symbolize deliberate rejection of superficial sophistication, while "jade virtues" embody the quiet mastery of Dao's eternal principles.