The Tao is based on the people

The people starve because their rulers impose excessive taxes; this is why they suffer famine.

The people are difficult to govern because their rulers meddle and enforce harsh policies; this is why they become unruly.

The people dare to risk death because their rulers indulge in extravagant luxuries, forcing the masses to desperate acts.

Only those who do not cling to the pursuit of life’s pleasures prove wiser than those obsessed with extravagant living.

(Note: This chapter reveals three dimensions of Laozi’s "people-centered philosophy": opposing exploitative taxation, criticizing oppressive governance that disrupts the people, and warning against a materialistic society driven by excessive desires. Through three parallel statements structured as "The people... because their rulers...," Laozi progressively argues that rulers’ excessive actions are the root of social chaos, ultimately concluding that "governing through non-action" (清静无为) is the true path to harmony.)