Tao Te Ching Chapter 3

Translation by John H. McDonald

If you overly esteem talented individuals,

people will become overly competitive.

If you overvalue possessions,

people will begin to steal.

Do not display your treasures

or people will become envious.

The Master leads by

emptying people’s minds,

filling their bellies,

weakening their ambitions,

and making them become strong.

Preferring simplicity and freedom from desires,

avoiding the pitfalls of knowledge and wrong action.

For those who practice not-doing,

everything will fall into place.

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Reference: Tao Te Ching