WORDS & IDEAS
Yu 欲
Desire. The book often questions the multiplying of wants. It links contentment with the ability to recognise when there is enough.
Quieting desire
不尚贤，使民不争。
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…
Read chapterThe five colours
五色令人目盲，五音令人耳聋，五味令人口爽，驰骋畋猎令人心发狂，难得之货令人行妨。
Colour's five hues from th' eyes their sight will take; Music's five notes the ears as deaf can make; The flavours five deprive the mouth of taste; The…
Read chapterSimplicity and sincerity
绝圣弃智，民利百倍。
If we could renounce our sageness and discard our wisdom, it would be better for the people a hundredfold. If we could renounce our benevolence and…
Read chapterKnowing what is enough
名与身孰亲？身与货孰多？得与亡孰病？是故甚爱必大费，多藏必厚亡，知足不辱，知止不殆，可以长久。
44. Or fame or life, Which do you hold more dear? Or life or wealth, To which would you adhere? Keep life and lose those other things; Keep them and lose…
Read chapterEnough is enough
天下有道，却走马以粪。
When the Tao prevails in the world, they send back their swift horses to (draw) the dung-carts. When the Tao is disregarded in the world, the war-horses…
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