Chapter 18
Abandon sagacity and discard cleverness, and the people will benefit a hundredfold. Abandon benevolence and discard righteousness, and the people will return to filial piety and compassion. Abandon skill and discard profit, and thieves and robbers will cease to exist.
These three, taken as written principles, are insufficient.
Therefore, let there be something to hold onto: perceive the unbleached silk, embrace the uncarved wood; diminish self-interest, reduce desires.