Simplicity Wins: How Laozi Teaches Us to Avoid Extremes
Qu Shen Qu She Qu Tai (Chapter 29 of Dao De Jing)
- Literal Translation:
- “Qu Shen” (去甚): Remove/extreme excessiveness.
- “Qu She” (去奢): Eliminate luxury/extravagance.
- “Qu Tai” (去泰): Abandon arrogance/complacency.
- Core Principle:
A directive to reject extremes and artificial excess, aligning with the Dao (自然, “natural way”) by practicing moderation, humility, and simplicity. - Key Components:
- Avoid Excess (甚/奢):
- Shen (甚): Overdoing actions (e.g., forceful governance).
- She (奢): Material/behavioral extravagance (e.g., wasteful opulence).
- Reject Complacency (泰):
- Tai (泰): Arrogance from power/success (e.g., rulers assuming infallibility).
- Avoid Excess (甚/奢):
- Daoist Context:
Reflects Laozi’s critique of human-made extremes (e.g., war, wealth gaps) and advocates wuwei (无为, “non-interference”) by:- Governing with restraint (for leaders).
- Living contentedly (for individuals).
- Modern Application:
- Leadership: Policies avoiding harsh control (去甚) or indulgence (去奢).
- Personal Life: Balancing desires without greed (奢) or ego (泰).
Summary:
“Discard excess, extravagance, and arrogance” to return to harmony with the Dao’s simplicity.
It suddenly occurred to me that reading the Tao Te Ching might also prevent depression.