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Chapter 3

不尚贤

Chapter Translation

不bù尚shàng贤xián，

使shǐ民mín不bù争zhēng；

不bù贵guì难nán得dé之zhī货huò，

使shǐ民mín不bù为wéi盗dào；

不bù见jiàn可kě欲yù，

使shǐ民mín心xīn不bù乱luàn。

是shì以yǐ「圣shèng人rén」之zhī治zhì，

虚xū其qí心xīn，

实shí其qí腹fù，

弱ruò其qí志zhì，

强qiáng其qí骨gǔ。

常cháng使shǐ民mín无wú知zhī无wú欲yù。

a> Do not honor the worthy. This will keep the people from contention. Do not prize rare things. This will keep the people from becoming thieves. Do not display the desirable. The hearts of the people will not be turbulent.

b> Hence the governance of the sage: Empty their minds and fill their bellies, Weaken their wills and strengthen their bones. Always render the people free of knowledge and desire. Ensure that the clever do not dare to act.

c> Engage in non-action (wuwei) and nothing will go unruled.

A modern classroom translation, with labeled subsections for study.