Pu (朴, the Uncarved Block) in the Dao De Jing: Meaning and Occurrences
In the Dao De Jing, pu (朴) is the uncarved block: wood before it is cut into tools, the text's image for plainness and for the nameless Way.
朴 (pǔ) is a piece of wood that has not been carved. This site translates it "the uncarved block", and in some lines "simplicity". The text keeps the image concrete: in chapter 28, when the uncarved block is cut up, it becomes tools (朴散则为器).
The block is tied to the nameless. Chapter 32 opens: "The Way is constantly nameless. Though the uncarved block is small, no one in the world can make it a subject." Chapter 37 speaks twice of "the nameless uncarved block", with which desires would be calmed.
The term also describes people. The ancient masters of chapter 15 are plain like the uncarved block; chapter 19 says to embrace it (见素抱朴); chapter 28 speaks of returning to it; and in chapter 57 the people become simple of themselves.
Every occurrence of 朴
Chapter 15
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Line 7
敦兮其若朴，
Considerate towards its simplicity.
Chapter 19
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Line 6
见素抱朴，
Look at the essence and embrace simplicity.
Chapter 28
Chapter 32
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Line 1
道常无名，朴虽小，
The Way is constantly nameless. Though the uncarved block is small,
Chapter 37
Chapter 57
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Line 14
我无欲而民自朴。”
I have no desires, and the people become simple of themselves."