It has been a while since my last post. I have been very busy with helping establish mindfulness in certain key areas in Delaware. I have not forgotten my commitment to completing my work on the Tao Te Ching and the Tao Te Blog.
What follows is my translation of Chapter 3. I will be returning shortly with commentary.
Chapter Three
Refrain from exalting the talented so that people cease to be jealous
Refrain from prizing that which is difficult to obtain so that people will be free from becoming thieves
Do not show off what is desirable so that people’s hearts can be kept from being unsettled
Thus, the sage governs by emptying their hearts
Filling their bellies
Calming their ambitions
Strengthening their bones
Always keeping people free from desire
The sage ensures that the cunning not dare interfere
Indeed, if one acts without interfering, then nothing is not in order.