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By the regular, govern the state; |
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by the unconventional, employ troops; |
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by non-action, win all under heaven. |
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How do I know it is so? |
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By this: |
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All under heaven has many taboos, |
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and the people grow ever poorer; |
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the people have many sharp tools, |
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the state grows ever more darkened; |
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people have much artifice, |
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strange things increasingly arise. |
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Laws and decrees grow ever more manifest, |
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thieves and robbers abound. |
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Therefore the sage says: |
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I practice non-action, |
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and the people transform themselves; |
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I love stillness, |
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and the people rectify themselves; |
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I do not interfere, |
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and the people enrich themselves; |
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I have no desire, |
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and the people return to simplicity. |