Verse 80: Small states

This is a very difficult passage.

小國寡民。
The small country with few inhabitants
使有什伯之器而不用。
Creates labor-saving devices without using them,
使民重死而不遠徙。
Makes the inhabitants willing to repeat death without moving away.
雖有舟輿無所乘之。
Boats and vehicles are present, but none are taken
雖有甲兵無所陳之。
Top troops are available, but none are deployed.
使民復結繩而用之。
This makes inhabitants return to use of the rope.
甘其食、
Food is plenty,
美其服、
Clothes are beautiful,
安其居、
Residences are safe,
樂其俗。
Desires are content.
鄰國相望，雞犬之聲相聞。
Neighbor states look at each other, and the different animal sounds are heard together.
民至老死不相往來。
However, inhabitants are disinterested in crossing borders even till their death days.


Comments
One of the ways to look at this is an inverted description of reality. When one thinks of countries, they often strive to be big and possess many citizens. Using the inverted method of reading, we can see how amazing is Laozi's description of civilisation and the international state system. Since every state fits the description below, Laozi was wise to be VERY INDIRECT. haha

"The big country with many citizens often uses labor-saving devices. The citizens are afraid of death and love to move away.Boats and vehicles are used, top troops are deployed. Inhabitants shun the use of the simple rope. Food is inadequate, so more must be produced. Clothes are ugly, so more must be designed. Residences are not safe, so things must be done to secure them. Desires are not fulfilled, and people seek gratification. States are only concerned with themselves (national interest), and lack understanding of other countries (my interpretation of chicken and dog sounds). Inhabitants always think of visiting, because the grass seems much greener on the other side."