Religion
Chapter 19
Translated by James Legge (1891) · From The Tao Teh King (1891)
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 discard our righteousness, the people would again become filial and kindly. If we could renounce our artful contrivances and discard our (scheming for) gain, there would be no thieves nor robbers.
Those three methods (of government)
Thought olden ways in elegance did fail
And made these names their want of worth to veil;
But simple views, and courses plain and true
Would selfish ends and many lusts eschew.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Codex Note
Prose translation of a largely rhymed original, with occasional rhymed renderings by Legge; words in parentheses are his supplied additions.
Cite this poem
MLA
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 19.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/18/.
Chicago
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 19.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/18/.
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