Home Victor H. Mair Chapter 19

Victor H. Mair

19

Copied!
Copied!

“Abolish sagehood and abandon cunning, the people will benefit a hundredfold; Abolish humaneness and abandon righteousness, the people will once again be filial and kind; Abolish cleverness and abandon profit, bandits and thieves will be no more.” These three statements are inadequate as a civilizing doctrine; Therefore, Let something be added to them: Evince the plainness of undyed silk, Embrace the simplicity of the unhewn log; Lessen selfishness, Diminish desires; Abolish learning and you will be without worries.

Continue reading from this chapter in the full translation.