# XIX explained — Tao Te Ching

> Chapter companion for Tao Te Ching by Laozi.

## What happens

This chapter advocates for the renunciation of conventional virtues—sageness, wisdom, benevolence, righteousness, and contrivance—to restore natural simplicity and filial piety, arguing that such artificial constructs harm rather than help the people.

## Themes in this chapter

### Critique of Conventional Virtue

The chapter directly calls for discarding sageness, wisdom, benevolence, and righteousness as harmful to the people.

### Simplicity and Humility

Advocates for simple views and plain courses to eschew selfish ends and lusts, emphasizing a return to unadorned living.

## Key lines

> If we could renounce our sageness and discard our wisdom, it would be better for the people a hundredfold.

Abandoning the pursuit of sainthood and cleverness would greatly benefit the populace.

_Highlights the Taoist critique of intellectual and moral pretensions._

> If we could renounce our benevolence and discard our righteousness, the people would again become filial and kindly.

Letting go of enforced kindness and moral rules would restore natural family loyalty and compassion.

_Suggests that conventional virtues are artificial and hinder genuine goodness._

> If we could renounce our artful contrivances and discard our (scheming for) gain, there would be no thieves nor robbers.

Abandoning clever inventions and the pursuit of profit would eliminate theft and crime.

_Links material ambition and cunning to social disorder._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/chapters/part-i-xix
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/chapters