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"Do not honor (shang) the worthy (hsien), So that the people will not contend (cheng) with one another. Do not value (kuei) hard-to-get goods, So that the people will not turn robbers. Do not show objects of desire (k'o yü), So that the people's minds (hsin) are not disturbed. Therefore, when the sage rules: He empties the minds (hsin) of his people, Fills their bellies, Weakens their wills (chih), And strengthens their bones. Always he keeps his people in no-knowledge (wu-chih) and no-desire (wu-yü), Such that he who knows dares not act. Act by no-action (wu-wei), Then, nothing is not in order."
Author
Lao TzuAll Translations
English
"Do not honor (shang) the worthy (hsien), So that the people will not contend (cheng) with one another. Do not value (kuei) hard-to-get goods, So that the people will not turn robbers. Do not show objects of desire (k'o yü), So that the people's minds (hsin) are not disturbed. Therefore, when the sage rules: He empties the minds (hsin) of his people, Fills their bellies, Weakens their wills (chih), And strengthens their bones. Always he keeps his people in no-knowledge (wu-chih) and no-desire (wu-yü), Such that he who knows dares not act. Act by no-action (wu-wei), Then, nothing is not in order."