Tao Te Ching Chapter 3 – 安民 (道德經 第3章)
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Tao Te Ching — Chapter 3: Keeping the People at Rest
道德經 第三章 · 安民 · Lao Tzu · Bilingual Edition with Classical Commentaries
Original Text — 原文
是以聖人之治，虛其心，實其腹，弱其志，強其骨。
常使民無知無欲。使夫知者不敢為也。為無為，則無不治。
English Translation — James Legge
Not to value and employ men of superior ability is the way to keep the people from rivalry among themselves; not to prize articles which are difficult to procure is the way to keep them from becoming thieves; not to show them what is likely to excite their desires is the way to keep their minds from disorder.
Therefore the sage, in the exercise of his government, empties their minds, fills their bellies, weakens their wills, and strengthens their bones. He constantly tries to keep them without knowledge and without desire, and where there are those who have knowledge, to keep them from presuming to act on it.
When there is this abstinence from action, good order is universal. This principle of wu wei — non-action first introduced in Chapter 1, reaches its political expression here: the sage rules not by imposing will, but by removing the conditions that generate conflict.
✦ Key Insight
Chapter 3 is Lao Tzu's blueprint for effortless governance. By not elevating talent as a status symbol, not glorifying rare goods, and not stimulating desire, the ruler removes the three root causes of social disorder. This is not a call for ignorance, but for a return to natural simplicity — a theme central to the entire Taoist path of inner cultivation and ritual practice.
Classical Commentaries — 古典注释
王弼注 Wang Bi's Commentary
Wang Bi explains that the sage governs by emptying people's minds and filling their bellies — reducing cleverness and desire while nurturing physical well-being. Elevating talent as a title breeds competition; prizing rare goods breeds theft. When the wise dare not act with contrivance, and non-action prevails, nothing remains ungoverned.
河上公注 Heshang Gong's Commentary
Heshang Gong explains that 'worth' refers to worldly cleverness that departs from the Dao. The ruler should not reward such cleverness with rank or title. Governing the state and cultivating the self follow the same principle: empty the mind of desires, fill the belly with the Dao, stay soft and yielding, strengthen the inner essence. When the ruler is pure and still, the people naturally become free of greed.
About the Author
Paul Peng
Paul Peng is a Zhengyi Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi — the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters' tradition. Ordained at 25 after a dream from the Celestial Master, he has practiced for 25 years under Master Zeng Guangliang. He is the curator of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.
Read his full story →
