第3章 · 原文
现代白话译文
不推崇有才德的人，导使老百姓不互相争夺；不珍爱难得的财物，导使老百姓不去偷窃；不显耀足以引起贪欲的事物，导使民心不被迷乱。因此，圣人的治理原则是：排空百姓的心机，填饱百姓的肚腹，减弱百姓的竞争意图，增强百姓的筋骨。经常使老百姓没有伪诈的心智，没有争欲的念头。使那些自作聪明的人也不敢妄为造事。实行无为之治，天下就没有治理不好的。
英文译本 / English Translations
D.C. Lau
Not to honor men of worth will keep the people from contention; not to value goods which are hard to come by will keep them from theft; not to display what is desirable will keep them from being unsettled of mind. Therefore in governing the people, the sage empties their minds but fills their bellies, weakens their wills but strengthens their bones. He always keeps them innocent of knowledge and free from desire, and ensures that the clever never dare to act. Do that which consists in taking no action, and order will prevail.
Robert Henricks
1. By not elevating the worthy, you bring it about that people will not compete. 2. By not valuing goods that are hard to obtain, you bring it about that people will not act like thieves. 3. By not displaying the desirable you bring it about that people will not be confused. 4. Therefore, in the government of the Sage: 5. He empties their minds, 6. An fills their bellies. 7. Weakens their ambition, 8. And strengthens their bones. 9. He constantly causes the people to be without knowledge and without desires. 10. If he can bring it about that those with knowledge simply do not dare to act, 11. Then there is nothing that will not be in order.
Addiss & Lombardo
Don't exalt the talented and people won't compete. Don't treasure rare objects and people won't steal. Don't show off things that arouse desire and people's hearts won't be troubled. The sage rules by emptying minds and filling bellies, weakening ambitions and strengthening bones. Keep people from knowing and wanting, keep those who know from doing. Act without action and nothing is unruled.
Arthur Waley
If we stop looking for "persons of superior morality" (hsien) to put in power, There will be no more jealousies among the people. If we cease to set store by products that are hard to get, There will be no more thieves. If the people never see such things as excite desire, Their hearts will remain placid and undisturbed. Therefore the Sage rules By emptying their hearts And filling their bellies, Weakening their intelligence And toughening their sinews Ever striving to make the people knowledgeless and desireless. Indeed he sees to it that if there be any who have knowledge, They dare not interfere. Yet through his actionless activity all things are duly regulated.
林语堂
This version is not yet available.
Stephen Mitchell
If you overesteem great men, people become powerless. If you overvalue possessions, people begin to steal. The Master leads by emptying people's minds and filling their cores, by weakening their ambition and toughening their resolve. He helps people lose everything they know, everything they desire, and creates confusion in those who think that they know. Practice not-doing, and everything will fall into place.