《道德经》英译（第五十七章）

以正治国，

以奇用兵，

以无事取天下。

吾何以知其然哉？

以此：

天下多忌讳，

而民弥贫；

民多利器，

国家滋昏；

人多伎巧，

奇物滋起；

法令滋彰，

盗贼多有。

故圣人云：

我无为，

而民自化；

我好静，

而民自正；

我无事，

而民自富；

我无欲，

而民自朴。

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Chapter 57

 

“Govern the realm by the right,

And battles by stratagem.”

 

The world is won by refraining.

How do I know this is so?

By this:

 

As taboos increase, people grow poorer;

When weapons abound, the state grows chaotic;

Where skills multiply, novelties flourish;

As statutes increase, more criminals start.

 

So the Wise Man will say:

 

As I refrain, the people will reform:

Since I like quiet, they will keep order;

When I forebear, the people will prosper;

When I want nothing, they will be honest.

 

（R. B. Blakney 译）