Inheriting Lao Tzu's dialectical exposition of the two opposites and unifications before and after the avenue and benevolence, wisdom and hypocrisy, the discord between the six relatives and filial piety, and the chaos of the country and the loyalty of the ministers. The ideas expressed by Lao Tzu in the nineteenth chapter of the Tao Te Ching mainly lie in emphasizing an ideal social state that transcends worldly wisdom, benevolence, righteousness, and skill. He believes that if people can abandon these worldly ideas and return to a simple and natural way of life, then society will become more harmonious, and the relationship between people will be more sincere and loving.
Original text: "Absolute sainthood and abandonment of wisdom, the people benefit a hundred times." Absolute benevolence and abandonment of righteousness, and the people restore filial piety. There are no thieves who abandon profit. ”
Classical Interpretation: Lao Tzu believes that if people no longer pursue sage wisdom and abandon worldly wisdom and knowledge, then people will live more naturally and pay more attention to their inner self, rather than being driven by external material interests. At the same time, if people can abandon the concept of benevolence and righteousness, stop pursuing superficial moral and ethical standards, and return to sincere and natural human nature, then the relationship between people will be more sincere and loving. Finally, if people can abandon their skillful skills and interests, stop pursuing superficial achievements and status, and return to a simple way of life, then there will be fewer thieves in society, and society will become more harmonious and stable.
In general, Lao Tzu's thought advocates a way of life that transcends worldly desires, returns to nature, and sincerity, emphasizing that human beings should transcend external material interests and superficial moral standards and pursue inner spiritual freedom and true happiness. This kind of thinking has profound enlightenment significance in the social background of that time, and it also has certain reference significance for today's society.
Original text: "These three are considered to be texts, not enough." Therefore, the order belongs: see plain and simple, less selfish and less desired, and never worry about learning. ”
Classical interpretation: these three are considered to be texts, and they are insufficient". "These three" refer to the aforementioned wisdom, righteousness, and skill. "Thought to be literate" means that these three moral norms are only superficial civilizational decorations. "Inadequate" means that Lao Tzu believes that these are not enough and cannot fully bring satisfaction and peace to the soul.
Therefore the order has belonging". Therefore" means therefore. "Let there belong" means that the human spirit should belong, and the pursuit of a deeper inner value, that is, the nature of the person.
See plain hug simple". "Su" is undyed silk; "Seeing the elements" refers to maintaining the original natural nature of the heart, not being disturbed by external material and vanity. "Pu" is uncarved wood; "Hug Pu" means to maintain the original state of simplicity, not to overdo the pursuit of external forms and gorgeous decorations.
Less selfishness and few desires". "Less selfishness" refers to reducing one's selfishness and selfishness. "Lack of desire" is the reduction of material desires and the pursuit of fame and fortune.
No worries". "Absolute learning" refers to the abandonment of flashy and useless knowledge and the pursuit of "sacred wisdom" that does not bring peace of mind. "Worry-free" refers to achieving a carefree state of mind through the practice described above.
To sum up, Lao Tzu's passage emphasizes that external etiquette cannot fully meet people's inner needs, and that we should pursue a more essential and simple state of life, reduce selfish desires and personal selfishness, and give up those exaggerated knowledge, so as to achieve inner peace and ease. This reflects the Taoist philosophy of pursuing nature and simplicity.
It can be seen that the content of chapters 18 and 19 of the Tao Te Ching is essentially the convergence and integration of the thoughts of Confucius and Lao Tzu. Confucius advocated governing the world with benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and happiness, while Lao Tzu advocated transcending worldly wisdom, maintaining natural nature, and realizing the rule of inaction.