Tao Te Ching

Chapter 20
[Original text]

Abandon sages and wisdom[1], and the benefits of the people will be multiplied; abandon benevolence and righteousness, and the people will return to filial piety;These three people think that the text [2] is insufficient, so they have their own [3].See Su Baopu [4], less selfish desires, no learning [5] and worry-free.

【Note】

[1] Wisdom: cleverness.

[2] Wen: Articles, rules.

[3] Belonging to: belong to, belong to, and follow.

[4] See Su Baopu: Maintain true colors.Su, refers to undyed cotton silk.Pu means uncarved wood.

[5] Juxue: Abandon exaggerated knowledge.Absolutely, put an end to, abandon.

【Analysis】

The ruler can't pretend to be clever, but should discard those ingenuity, so that the people can get a hundred times the benefits.When the ruler abandons those hypocritical benevolence, the people can become filial and loving again.Abandon the idea of ​​deceit and profit, and thieves will not appear.It is far from enough to use "sage wisdom", "benevolence and righteousness" and "ingenious benefit" as the rules of governing the world. These are not the basic thoughts in the hearts of the people, so they are not enough to govern the world.

Therefore, let the people's thoughts belong to: maintain a pure and simple nature, reduce unnecessary distractions and desires in the heart, and abandon seemingly clever wisdom, generous benevolence and righteousness, and superficial culture, so that you can avoid the heart. Health worries.

Simply put, the ruler should follow the "Tao" thought to rule the people, so as to bring a better life to the people, and the people should follow the "Tao" thought, so as to keep themselves away from unnecessary worries.

【Explanation by Famous Artists】

Mr. He Shang:
Made by Jue Sheng, against the original and defending the Yuan Dynasty.The five emperors hung down elephants, and Cangjie wrote books, not as good as the three emperors who tied ropes and had no writing.Abandon wisdom and do nothing.Farming repairs are public and selfless.The one who is absolutely benevolent sees favor, and the one who abandons righteousness honors words.Dehua Chun also.What a coincidence, the fake is the real one.Those who abandon profits will block the road of greed and close the door of power.Be fair at the top, and innocent at the bottom.It is also called the abandonment of the above three things.Those who think that the literature is not enough, the literature is not enough to teach the people.When the following sentence.Those who see plains should embrace the plains and keep the truth, not embellishments.Those who embrace simplicity should embrace its simplicity to show the next, so it can be followed.Those who are less selfish are being selfless.Those who have few desires should be content.Absolute learning is not true and does not conform to Taoism.

(End of this chapter)