Oldie, but a Goodie

Raw Silk and Uncut Wood

Stop being holy, forget being prudent, it'll be a hundred times better for everyone.
Stop being altruistic, forget being righteous,
people will remember what family feeling is.
Stop planning, forget making a profit,
there won't be any thieves and robbers.

But even these three rules needn't be followed; what works reliably
is to know the raw silk,
hold the uncut wood.
Need little,
want less.
Forget the rules.
Be untroubled.

Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

In ancient China, the keeper of the Imperial Library, Lao Tzu, was famous for his wisdom.

Realizing the growing corruption of the government, he chose to leave the city for the countryside. On his way, the guard at the city gates asked Lao Tzu to write out the essence of his understanding to benefit future generations.

Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching, left, and was never heard of again.