Abandon wisdom and cleverness,
and the people will benefit a hundredfold.

Let go of morality and righteousness,
and people will rediscover kindness.

Give up profit and ambition,
and there will be no thieves or robbers.

These are mere decorations —
not true virtues,
but signs of what has been lost.

Better to return
to plainness and honesty,
to soften selfish desires
and live with less.