The self-sufficiency of the Tao

A state should be small, and its population sparse. Even if there are advanced tools and devices, they remain unused. Let the people value their lives deeply and not wander far from home. Though there are boats and carriages, there is no need to use them; though there are weapons and armor, there is no occasion to display them. Let the people return to the simplicity of using knotted ropes for recording events. They savor their food as sweet, appreciate their clothing as elegant, feel content with their dwellings, and delight in their customs. Neighboring states lie within sight of one another, where the sounds of crowing cocks and barking dogs carry between them. Yet the people live and die without ever interacting.

This passage comes from Chapter 80 of the Dao De Jing. It depicts Laozi's ideal of a "small state with sparse population," emphasizing a return to simplicity, self-sufficiency, and a tranquil life rooted in contentment. It reflects the Daoist philosophy of wu wei (non-action) and harmony with nature, advocating for a society free from excessive desires and artificial complexity.