This Zhuangzi ‑ Tiandao excerpt highlights wu‑wei and inner stillness as governance’s root. It includes Wheelwright Bian’s famous parable arguing books hold only ancient dregs, and debates over artificial benevolence and righteousness.
There once lived a scholar by the name of Dongguo, who was known for his compassion.
A scholar, hard-pressed for money, listed a few hundred of his books, packed them up, and set out for the capital, intending to sell them.