道十九 - Tao Chapter 19

绝圣弃智 民利百负

绝仁弃义 民复孝慈

绝巧弃利 盗贼无有

此三言也 以为文未足 故令之有所属

见素抱朴 少私而寡欲

绝学无忧

不再接受通达事理人的指引，放弃智慧高的那部分人的领导，普通民众根据自己的需求互相帮助，可以更加干脆利落的办成事情；放弃社会面“道德”的约束，只是从自身的利益角度出发，普通民众自然会回归相互的奉养和慈爱；离开了机巧的事物和额外的利润，都是各取所需，那就不会再有强盗和小偷。 上面那三句话描述的都是理想状态，其实是空话（很难达成），所以描述一下可以达成的前提条件：外在衣食住行保持朴素，内里控制并减少欲望。 如果能做到，那么哪怕理论的传承断绝也不需要担忧什么，不会有什么问题。

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If we stop accepting guidance from those who understand the principles of things, and stop relying on the leadership of those who are wise, ordinary people will help each other based on their own needs and be able to accomplish things in a more straightforward and efficient way. If we stop being constrained by societal "morals," and only consider our own self-interests, ordinary people will naturally return to mutual care and love. By leaving behind complicated things and extra profits and each taking only what is needed, there will no longer be any bandits or thieves.

These statements describe an ideal state, which is difficult to achieve in reality. To achieve it, we need to keep our material needs simple, and control and reduce our desires.

If we can do this, even if the transmission of theory is broken, we won't have to worry about anything and there won't be any problems.