第72章 · 原文
现代白话译文
当人民不畏惧统治者的威压时，那么可怕的祸乱就要到来了。不要逼迫人民的居处，不要压榨人民的生活。只有不压榨人民，人民才不厌恶统治者。因此圣人有自知之明而不自我表现，有自爱之心而不自显高贵。所以舍弃后者而采取前者。
英文译本 / English Translations
D.C. Lau
When the people lack a proper sense of awe, then some awful visitation will descend upon them. Do not constrict their living space; Do not press down on their means of livelihood. It is because you do not press down on them that they will not weary of the burden. Hence the sage knows himself but does not display himself, Loves himself but does not exalt himself. Therefore he discards the one and takes the other.
Robert Henricks
1. When the people don't respect those in power, then what they greatly fear is about to arrive. 2. Don't narrow the size of the places in which they live; 3. Don't oppress them in their means of livelihood. 4. It's simply because you do not oppress them, that they therefore will not be fed up. 5. Therefore the Sage knows himself but doesn't show himself; 6. he cherishes himself but doesn't value himself. 7. For this reason, he rejects that and takes this.
Addiss & Lombardo
When people do not fear power, great power arrives. Do not restrict their dwelling, do not oppress their life. Only when not oppressed will they not be oppressed. Therefore the sage knows himself but does not show himself, loves himself but does not exalt himself. Therefore he rejects the latter and takes the former.
Arthur Waley
Never mind if the people are not intimidated by your authority. A Mightier Authority will deal with them in the end. Do not narrow their dwelling or harass their lives; And for the very reason that you do not harass them, They will cease to turn from you. Therefore the Sage knows himself but does not show himself. Knows his own value, but does not put himself on high. Truly, he rejects that but takes this".
林语堂
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Stephen Mitchell
When they lose their sense of awe, people turn to religion. When they no longer trust themselves, they begin to depend upon authority. Therefore the Master steps back so that people won't be confused. He teaches without a teaching, so that people will have nothing to learn.