Tao Te Ching · 3 of 81 · tr. James Legge

Chapter 3

Not to value and employ men of superior ability is the way to keep the people from rivalry among themselves; not to prize articles which are difficult to procure is the way to keep them from becoming thieves; not to show them what is likely to excite their desires is the way to keep their minds from disorder. Therefore the sage, in the exercise of his government, empties their minds, fills their bellies, weakens their wills, and strengthens their bones. He constantly (tries to) keep them without knowledge and without desire, and where there are those who have knowledge, to keep them from presuming to act (on it). When there is this abstinence from action, good order is universal.

Themes

◆Childlike Innocenceanthropology

The infant or child as symbol of the unfallen, undivided spiritual state; return to primordial simplicity.

The goal of keeping people 'without knowledge and without desire' reflects the Taoist ideal of simplicity often associated with childlike innocence.

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◆Wu Weipraxis

Effortless action aligned with the spontaneous flow of the Dao; non-coercive, non-striving conduct that yields results without forcing — the sage acts without acting.

The passage explicitly concludes that 'abstinence from action' leads to universal good order, which is the central definition of Wu Wei.

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◇Inner Silencepraxis

The practice of stilling the mind and speech to open receptivity to divine knowledge or presence.

[auto] The instruction to 'empty their minds' and keep them without knowledge aligns with the practice of stilling mental activity.

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◇Paradox As Teachingethics

Using apparent contradiction, reversal, or riddle to destabilise ordinary understanding and induce insight.

[auto] The sage strengthens bones by weakening wills and achieves order through abstinence from action, using apparent contradiction to convey the teaching.

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◇Renunciation Of Wealthethics

The spiritual danger of attachment to material possessions; wealth as a spiritual obstacle.

[auto] The text advises not to prize articles which are difficult to procure to prevent theft and desire, aligning with the spiritual danger of attachment to material possessions.

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