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The people suffer from famine because of the multitude of taxes
consumed by their superiors. It is through this that
they suffer
famine.
The people are difficult
to govern because of the (excessive)
agency of their superiors (in governing them). It
is through this
that they are difficult to govern.The people make light
of dying because of the greatness of their
labours in seeking for the means of living. It is
this which makes
them think light of dying. |
The people hunger because their superiors consume too many taxes; therefore they
hunger. The people are difficult to govern because
their superiors are too meddlesome; therefore they
are difficult to govern. The people make light of death
on account of the intensity of their clinging to life;
therefore they make light of death. |
Starvation of a people comes when an official appropriates to himself too much
of the taxes. The reason a people are difficult to
govern is because the officials are too meddlesome;
the people make light of death because they are so
absorbed in life's interests.
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