小国寡民。使有什伯之器而不用；使民重死而不远徙；虽有舟舆，无所乘之；虽有甲兵，无所陈之。使人复结绳而用之。至治之极。甘其食，美其服，安其居，乐其俗，邻国相望，鸡犬之声相闻，民至老死不相往来。

Te Ching Chapter Eighty

An ideal nation is small and with few people.

Although there are abundant weapons, there is no need for the use.

Let the people cherish their life and not pursue after fame and wealth,

So that they have no intention to move to faraway places.

Although there are boats and carriages, no one will ride them.

Although there are weapons and armors, there is no occasion to display them.

Let the people return to the ancient simple life where knotting ropes were used to record every event.

People would then enjoy the simple food, simple clothing, and be contented with a simple life.

And they shall live happily with the traditional customs.

Neighbors of the nations overlook one another in the near distance.

The barks of dogs and crowing of cocks can be heard.

Yet people are so contented that they enjoy their life without ever visiting each other.