| 1 |
以正治國，以奇用兵，以無事取天下。 |
A state may be ruled by (measures of) correction; weapons of
war may be used with crafty dexterity; (but) the kingdom
is made one's
own (only) by freedom from action and purpose.
|
With rectitude one governs the state; with craftiness one leads the army; with
non-diplomacy one takes the empire. How do I know that
it is so? Through IT.
|
The empire is administered with righteousness; the army is directed by craft;
the people are captivated by non-diplomacy. How do
I know it is so? By this same Dao.
|
| 2 |
吾何以知其然哉？以此：天下多忌
諱，而民彌貧﹔人多利器，國家滋昏﹔人多伎巧，奇物滋起﹔法令滋彰，
盜賊多有。 |
How do I know that it is so? By these facts:--In the kingdom the
multiplication of prohibitive enactments increases the poverty of the people;
the more implements to add to their profit that the people
have, the greater disorder is there in the state and clan; the more
acts of crafty dexterity that men possess, the more do strange
contrivances appear; the more display there is of legislation, the
more thieves and robbers there are.
|
The more restrictions and prohibitions are in the empire, the poorer grow the
people. The more weapons the people have, the more
troubled is the state. The more there is cunning
and skill, the more startling events will happen.
The more mandates and laws are enacted, the
more there will be thieves and robbers.
|
Among people the more restrictions and prohibitions there are, the poorer they
become. The more people have weapons, the more the
state is in confusion. The more people are artful
and cunning the more abnormal things occur. The more
laws and orders are issued the more thieves and robbers
abound.
|
| 3 |
故聖人云：「我無為，而民自化﹔我好靜，而民自正﹔我無事
，而民自富﹔我無欲，而民自朴」。 |
Therefore a sage has said, 'I will do nothing (of purpose), and the
people will be transformed of themselves; I will be fond of keeping
still, and the people will of themselves become correct. I will take no trouble
about it, and the people will of themselves become rich; I will manifest no ambition,
and the people will of themselves attain to the primitive simplicity.' |
Therefore the holy man says: I practise non-assertion, and the people of themselves
reform. I love quietude, and the people of themselves
become righteous. I use no diplomacy, and the people
of themselves become rich. I have no desire, and the
people of themselves remain simple. |
Therefore the wise man says: If a ruler practices wu wei the people will reform
of themselves. If I love quietude the people will of
themselves become righteous. If I avoid profit-making
the people will of themselves become prosperous. If
I limit my desires the people will of themselves become
simple. |
