Simple Classics

Section 80

Chapter 80 explained simply

Tao Te Ching by Laozi

Original excerpt

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1. In a little state with a small population, I would so order it, that, though there were individuals with the abilities of ten or a hundred men, there should be no employment of them; I would make the people, while looking on death as a grievous thing, yet not remove elsewhere (to avoid it). 2.…
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80. 1. In a little state with a small population, I would so order it, that, though there were individuals with the abilities of ten or a hundred men, there should be no employment of them; I would make the people, while looking on death as a grievous thing, yet not remove elsewhere (to avoid it). 2. Though they had boats and carriages, they should have no occasion to ride in them; though they had buff coats and sharp weapons, they should have no occasion to don or use them. 3. I would make the people return to the use of knotted cords (instead of the written characters). 4. They should think their (coarse) food sweet; their (plain) clothes beautiful; their (poor) dwellings places of rest; and their common (simple) ways sources of enjoyment. 5. There should be a neighbouring state within sight, and the voices of the fowls and dogs should be heard all the way from it to us, but I would make the people to old age, even to death, not have any intercourse with it.

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Simple English explanation

A simple community can be rich without chasing expansion. Value sufficiency, local life, and peace. More technology and movement do not automatically mean better living.

1-minute summary

Chapter 80 explains that a simple community can be rich without chasing expansion. In practice, value sufficiency, local life, and peace. It also warns that more technology and movement do not automatically mean better living. The useful lesson is to make the wise move early, while the situation is still small enough to guide.

Key takeaways

  • A simple community can be rich without chasing expansion.
  • Value sufficiency, local life, and peace.
  • More technology and movement do not automatically mean better living.
  • Use the idea in one concrete decision today.

Modern example

A small company chooses sustainable profit instead of opening offices everywhere.

For kids

Choose the simple, kind, and steady way when things feel confusing.