Chapter 3 of the Tao Te Ching focuses on principles emphasizing simplicity, humility, and guiding without imposing will. It suggests a societal structure that minimizes desires to maintain internal peace and emotional balance. By not valuing hard-to-obtain goods and not displaying desirable items, the text implies that it's possible to reduce negative emotions like envy, greed, and desire.
The chapter indirectly addresses emotional well-being by advising on leadership and societal organization. It proposes that leading a simple life, focusing on natural, simple, and essential needs, can mitigate disturbances in peace caused by unfulfilled desires. The observation that sagely government "empties their minds, fills their bellies, weakens their wills, and strengthens their bones" hints at a governance style that prioritizes the contentment and emotional equilibrium of the populace over competition and desire.
This approach to minimizing negative emotions and promoting a contented, peaceful society reflects the Taoist emphasis on living in harmony with the Tao. It underscores the belief that emotional well-being is tied to the simplicity and purity of one's external environment and the internalization of Taoist principles.