Monday, December 11, 2006

Dao De Jing: Chapter 19


The Dao De Jing is not only one of the world's classics, it is one of the foundational texts of philosophical Daoism. If you click on the title of this post, you'll be directed to an online version.


19. Simplify


If we could abolish knowledge and wisdom
Then people would profit a hundredfold;

If we could abolish duty and justice
Then harmonious relationships would form;

If we could abolish artifice and profit
Then waste and theft would disappear.

Yet such remedies treat only symptoms
And so they are inadequate.

People need personal remedies:
Reveal your naked self and embrace your original nature;

Bind your self-interest and control your ambition;
Forget your habits and simplify your affairs.

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