Introduction
A meta-theme of Weaving the Way is the notion of “return.” Returning to an original state, returning to connection with the Dao, returning to accordance with natural law, returning to the way we all are when we haven’t forgotten our true nature.
This verse is all about a return to integrity or Truth.
The term people (民, mín) is used a few times in this verse. It works well to read the text regarding leadership or interpersonal advice, as has been the standard. I suggest recognizing its power in informing our relationship with ourselves and the “populace within.” After all, if the text is about us returning to our original state, how can it be concerned with manipulating other people?
Translation
End “knowing” and abandon debates.
The people will prosper 100-fold.
End competition and abandon profiteering.
Thieves will disappear.
End falsehood and abandon deception.
The people will return to devotion and kindness.
Just stating these three principles is not enough.
Not enough to bring them to life.
Not enough to breathe them into being.
We all must
See purity.
Protect simplicity.
Lessen conceit.
Reduce greed.
Commentary
End “knowing” and abandon debates.
The people will prosper 100-fold.
Getting into arguments and debates can be fun until it’s not. Knowing more than someone else can be satisfying in the moment. But how often does our need to know and be right end up causing us problems? It’s relatively easy to see the stress that verbal altercations with others have on us. Our minds may get trapped, rehashing the situation. Our hearts beat faster, and our breath becomes shallower.