Tao Te Ching

Chapter 66
[Original text]

Those who are good in ancient times are the way, not based on Ming[1] people, but on foolish[2] people.

People are difficult to govern because of their wisdom.To rule a country with wisdom is to be a thief of the country[3]; to not to rule a country with wisdom is to be a blessing to the country.

Knowing the two is also based on the formula [4].It is often known that Jishi is called "Xuande". "Xuande" is deep, far away, contrary to things [5], and then even Dashun [6].

【Note】

[1] Ming: hypocrisy, ingenuity, here is the use of verbs, meaning "to make... smart".

[2] Stupid: honest, simple.

[3] Thief: scourge, scourge.

[4] Ji style: rule, model.

[5] Reverse: Same as "return", return.

[6] Dashun: Completely conform to the laws of nature and the "Tao".

【Analysis】

Those who were good at exercising the "Tao" in ancient times did not make the people smart and wise, but made the people simple and innocent.

The reason why the people are difficult to govern is often because they are too clever.Therefore, governing the country with wisdom is bound to be a disaster for the country; governing the country without wisdom is the happiness of the country.

To understand the difference between the two is to understand the laws of governing the country.To be always in the state of realizing this law is the highest virtue.The highest virtue is unfathomable, far out of reach, and returns to the original point of simplicity with all things, and finally conforms to the concept of "Tao".

【Explanation by Famous Artists】

Mr. He Shang:
It is said that those who are good in ancient times govern themselves and the country with Tao will not use Tao to teach the people to be wise and clever, but will use morality to teach the people so that they are simple and not deceitful.

The reason why the people are difficult to govern is that their wisdom is too much and they are clever and hypocritical.The political affairs that make a wise man govern the country must be far from morality, act pretentiously, and be a thief of the country.If wise men are not allowed to govern the political affairs of the country, then the people will abide by integrity, do not act as evil embellishments, have a close relationship between superiors and subordinates, and the monarch and ministers will work together, so it will be the blessing of the country.

Both are called wisdom and unwisdom.Always know that the wise are thieves, and the unwise are blessings, this is the law of governing the body and the country.Xuan, God.To be able to always know the methods of governing the body and the country is to be in harmony with the heavens.The people of Xuande are unfathomable and far beyond reach.The people of Xuande are different from all things, all things want to benefit themselves, and Xuande wants to give to others.The people of Xuande are different from all things, so they can achieve Dashun.Shun Tianli also.

(End of this chapter)