道德经上篇:《道经》
第三章
【原文】
不尚贤①,使民不争。不贵难得之货,使民不为盗;不见可欲,使民心不乱。是以圣人之治,虚其心,实其腹,弱其志,强其骨。常使民无知无欲,使夫智者不敢为也。为无为,则无不治。
【译文】
不推崇贤能之才,使人民不争名夺位;不以奇珍异宝为贵重之物,使人民不做偷盗的坏事;不炫耀可贪的事物,使人民不产生邪恶、动乱的念头。因此,有道的人治理天下的方法,是要净化人民的心灵,满足人民的温饱,减损人民争名夺利的心志,强健人民的体魄。要常使人民没有伪诈的心志,没有争名夺利的欲念。使那些智巧之人也不敢肆意妄为。以无为的态度去处理政事,就没有治理不好的。
English Translation
Version 1:by Daniel Baida Su and Shangyu Chen
Do not honor the virtuous, lest people contend.
Do not value hard-to-find treasures, lest people want to steal.
Do not evoke evil desires, lest people become restless.
Therefore, the Holy One rules by humbling people's hearts,
Filling their stomachs,
Subduing their will,
And strengthening their bones.
He makes them seek no knowledge and have no desire;
Then, even the wise must curb their behavior.
Make no effort, and there will be no lack of order.
Version 2:by John C. H. Wu