| 1 |
|
Not to value and employ men of superior ability is the way to
keep the people from rivalry among themselves; not
to prize articles
which are difficult to procure is the way to keep them
from becoming
thieves; |
Not boasting of one's worth forestalls people's envy.
Not prizing treasures
difficult to obtain keeps people from committing
theft.
|
Neglecting to praise the worthy deters people from emulating them; just as not
prizing rare treasures deters a man from becoming a
thief; |
| 3 |
|
Therefore the sage, in the exercise of his government, empties
their minds, fills their bellies, weakens their wills, and strengthens
their bones. He constantly (tries to) keep them without knowledge
and
without
desire, and where there are those who have knowledge, to keep them
from presuming to act (on it). When there is this abstinence from
action, good order is universal. |
Therefore the holy man when he governs empties the people's hearts but fills
their stomachs. He weakens their ambition but strengthens
their bones. Always he keeps the people unsophisticated
and without desire. He causes that the crafty do not
dare to act. When he acts with non-assertion there
is nothing ungoverned. |
Therefore the wise ruler does not suggest unnecessary things, but seeks to satisfy
the minds of his people. He seeks to allay appetites
but strengthen bones. He ever tries by keeping people
in ignorance to keep them satisfied and those who have
knowledge he restrains from evil. If he, himself, practices
restraint then everything is in quietness. |
