The Return of the Way to Simplicity

Abandon sagacity and discard cleverness,

and the people will benefit a hundredfold.

Abandon benevolence and discard righteousness,

and the people will return to filial piety and compassion.

Abandon cunning and discard profitseeking,

and thieves and bandits will disappear.

These three—sagacity, benevolence, and cunning—

are superficial and insufficient.

Therefore, let the people have something to rely on:

Embrace simplicity, hold to purity,

reduce selfishness, and lessen desires.

(This chapter advocates rejecting artificial constructs and desires, returning to a state of natural simplicity. Laozi argues that excessive emphasis on external norms like sagacity, benevolence, and profitseeking disrupts societal harmony. Only by reducing selfish desires and returning to authenticity can true peace and happiness be achieved.)

Key Concepts:

见素抱朴 (jiàn sù bào pǔ) – “embrace simplicity, hold to purity” (returning to an unadorned, genuine way of life).

少私寡欲 (shǎo sī guǎ yù) – “reduce selfishness, lessen desires” (cultivating contentment and inner peace).

圣智、仁义、巧利 (shèng zhì, rén yì, qiǎo lì) – “sagacity, benevolence, cunning” (artificial constructs that Laozi critiques).

Core Philosophy:

Laozi emphasizes the importance of shedding artificial values and returning to the natural state of simplicity and purity. By reducing selfish desires and external dependencies, individuals and society can achieve harmony and fulfillment. This chapter reflects Laozi’s broader critique of overcomplication and his advocacy for a life aligned with the Dao’s effortless flow.