Tao Te Ching Chapter 57

 

Rule a kingdom by the Normal.

Fight a battle by (abnormal) tactics of surprise.

Win the world by doing nothing.

How do I know it is so?

 

Through this: -

The more prohibitions there are,

The poorer the people become.

The more sharp weapons there are,

The greater the chaos in the state.

The more skills of technique,

The more cunning things are produced.

The greater the number of statutes,

The greater the number of thieves and brigands.

 

Therefore the sage says:

I do nothing and the people are reformed of themselves.

I love quietude and the people are righteous of themselves.

I deal in no business and the people grow rich by themselves.

I have no desires and the people are simple

and honest by themselves.