Chapter LXV
(Chapter 65)

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Ko Yuen Translation

The Purity of the Teh
1. They of old time that were skilled in the Tao sought not to enlighten the people, but to keep them simple.
2. The difficulty of government is the vain knowledge of the people.  To use cleverness in government is to scourge the kingdom; to use simplicity is to anoint it.
3. Know these things, and make them thy law and thine example.  To possess this Law is the Secret Perfection of rule.  Profound and Extended is this Perfection; he that possesseth it is indeed contrary to the rest, but he attracteth them to full accordance.

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S. Mitchell Translation
The ancient Masters
didn't try to educate the people,
but kindly taught them to not-know.

When they think that they know the answers,
people are difficult to guide.
When they know that they don't know,
people can find their own way.

If you want to learn how to govern,
avoid being clever or rich.
The simplest pattern is the clearest.
Content with an ordinary life,
you can show all people the way
back to their own true nature.

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James Legge Translation
1. The ancients who showed their skill in practising the Tao did so, not to enlighten the people, but rather to make them simple and ignorant.
2. The difficulty in governing the people arises from their having much knowledge.  He who (tries to) govern a state by his wisdom is a scourge to it; while he who does not (try to) do so is a blessing.
3. He who knows these two things finds in them also his model and rule.  Ability to know this model and rule constitutes what we call the mysterious excellence (of a governor).  Deep and far-reaching is such mysterious excellence, showing indeed its possessor as opposite to others, but leading them to a great conformity to him.

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GNL not Lao Interpolation

Subtlety
The ancients did not seek to rule people with knowledge,
But to help them become natural.
It is difficult for knowledgeable people to become natural.

To use law to control a nation weakens the nation.
But to use nature to control a nation strengthens the nation.

Understanding these two paths is understanding subtlety;
Subtlety runs deep, ranges wide,
Resolves confusion and preserves peace.

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