安民
Anmin
不尚賢，(賢謂世俗之賢，辯口明文，離道行權，去質為文也。不尚者，不貴之以祿，不貴之以官。)使民不爭。(不爭功名，返自然也。)不貴難得之貨，(言人君不御好珍寶，黃金棄於山，珠玉捐於淵也。)使民不為盜。(上化清靜，下無貪人。)不見可慾，(放鄭聲，遠美人。)使心不亂。(不邪淫，不惑亂也。)是以聖人之治，(說聖人治國與治身同也。)虛其心，(除嗜欲，去亂煩。)實其腹，(懷道抱一守，五神也。)弱其志，(和柔謙讓，不處權也。)強其骨。(愛精重施，髓滿骨堅。)常使民無知無慾。(返樸守淳。)使夫知者不敢為也。(思慮深，不輕言。)為無為，(不造作，動因循。)則無不治。(德化厚，百姓安。)
Do not glorify the worthy, ("Worthy" refers to worldly talents—sharp tongues, clever writings, straying from the Way to wield power, abandoning simplicity for ornament. Not glorifying means you do not reward them with rank or office.) So that the people will not contend. (Not striving for fame and status, returning to natural simplicity.)
Do not prize goods that are hard to obtain, (This means the ruler does not treasure rare jewels—gold discarded in the mountains, pearls and jade cast into the deep. With such an example, what would anyone steal?) So that the people will not become thieves. (When leaders are pure and peaceful, the people below have no greed.)
Do not display what is desirable, (Avoid seductive music and beautiful women.) So that the heart will not be disturbed. (No lust, no confusion.)
Therefore, the Sage governs— (This explains that the Sage's way of governing a state is the same as cultivating one's own life.)
By emptying their hearts, (Removing cravings and troubling thoughts.) Filling their bellies, (Embracing the Way and guarding the One, nourishing the Five Spirits.) Weakening their ambitions, (Being gentle, humble, and yielding—not grasping for power.) And strengthening their bones. (Treasuring vital essence, conserving energy—marrow full, bones firm.)
He constantly keeps the people without knowledge and without desire, (Returning to simplicity and purity.) And makes those who do know not dare to act. (They think deeply and do not speak lightly of action.)
By acting without contrivance, (Not creating artificial schemes—moving with the natural flow.) Nothing remains ungoverned. (Virtue and transformation flourish; the people find peace.)