Tao Te Ching Chapter 19
paulpengThe Original Chinese Text
绝圣弃智，民利百倍；绝仁弃义，民复孝慈；绝巧弃利，盗贼无有。此三者以为文，不足。故令有所属：见素抱朴，少思寡欲，绝学无忧。
If we could renounce our sageness and discard ourwisdom, it would be better for the people a hundredfold.If we could renounce our benevolence and discard our righteousness,the people would again become filial and kindly. If we could renounce our artful contrivances and discard our (scheming for) gain, there would be no thievesnor robbers.
Those three methods (of government)Thought olden ways in elegance did fail
And made these names their want of worth to veil;
But simple views, and courses plain and true
Would selfish ends and many lusts eschew
【译文】断绝聪慧、放弃谋略，黎民得到的利惠比现在高百倍;断绝仁爱、放弃忠义，黎民就会回复到孝慈和睦的本性;断绝技巧、放弃物利,强盗和窃贼就不会产生。用圣智、仁义、巧利这三者来纹饰装点社会是没有价值的。所以要指示黎民归入到同一种道德中去保持纯真质朴，减少私利和贪欲。
Translation：
Abandon cleverness and discard schemes, and the people will gain a hundredfold more benefit than they do now. Abandon benevolence and discard righteousness, and the people will return to their innate nature of filial piety, kindness, and harmony. Abandon craftsmanship and discard material gains, and robbers and thieves will cease to exist. Using these three—sagely wisdom, benevolence-righteousness, and crafty profits—to adorn society is worthless. Therefore, guide the people to unite under a single moral standard: preserve p
urity and simplicity, and reduce self-interest and greed.
