| | 牧民: |
凡有地牧民者，务在四时，守在仓廪，仓廪实则知礼节，衣食足则知荣辱，上服度则六亲固，四维张则君令行，四维不张，国乃灭亡，国有四维，一维绝则倾，二维绝则危，三维绝则覆，四维绝则灭，倾可正也。危可安也。覆可起也。灭不可复错也。 |
| | All who govern the people and manage land must be concerned with the four seasons, their defense lies in granaries. When granaries are full, the people know rites and propriety; when clothing and food are sufficient, they understand honor and disgrace. If those above observe proper conduct, then the six relations remain stable. If the Four Pillars are upheld, the ruler's commands will be carried out effectively. If the Four Pillars fail to be upheld, the state will perish. A state has four pillars: if one pillar is severed, it tilts; if two are severed, it becomes dangerous; if three are severed, it collapses; and if all four are severed, it perishes. When a state tilts, it can still be corrected. When in danger, it can yet be stabilized. When overturned, it may still be revived. But when destroyed, it cannot be restored or corrected again.
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| | 牧民: |
四维，一曰礼，二曰义，三曰廉，四曰耻，政之所行，在顺民心，政之所废，在逆民心，民恶忧劳，我逸乐之，民恶贫贱，我富贵之，民恶危坠，我存安之，民恶灭绝，我生育之，能逸乐之，则民为之忧劳，能富贵之，则民为之贫贱，能存安之，则民为之危坠，能生育之，则民为之灭绝，故刑罚不足以恐其意，杀戮不足以服其心，故刑罚繁而意不恐，则令不行矣。杀戮衆而心不服，则上位危矣。故从其四欲，则远者自亲，行其四恶，则近者叛之，故知与之为取者，政之宝也。 |
| | The Four Pillars are: first, Li (ritual propriety), second, Yi (righteousness), third, Lian (integrity), and fourth, Chi (shame). The success of governance lies in following the people's will; its failure lies in going against their wishes. If the people dislike toil and hardship, we provide them with ease and pleasure; if they despise poverty and low status, we make them wealthy and noble; if they fear danger and downfall, we ensure their safety and stability; if they dread annihilation, we bring forth life and nurture it. When leaders can offer ease and pleasure, the people will endure toil for them; when leaders can grant wealth and nobility, the people will accept poverty and low status; when leaders provide security and peace, the people will face danger and instability for them; and when leaders foster life and reproduction, the people will risk annihilation for them. Therefore, punishments alone cannot truly instill fear in their minds, nor can executions alone subdue their hearts. If penalties are numerous yet still fail to inspire fear, then commands will not be carried out. If killings are frequent and the people's hearts remain 不服 (unsubdued), then those in high positions are in danger. Therefore, by fulfilling the people's four desires, even those far away will become close; but by imposing the four evils upon them, even nearby subjects will rebel. Thus, knowing how to give in order to take is the treasure of governance.
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| | 牧民: |
措国于不倾之地，积于不凋之仓，藏于不竭之府，下令于流水之原，使民于不争之官，明必死之路，开必得之门，不为不可成，不求不可得，不处不可久，不行不可复，措国于不倾之地，授有德也。积于不凋之仓，务五谷也。藏于不竭之府，养桑麻、育六畜也。下令于流水之原，令顺民心也。使民于不争之官，使民各为其所长也。明必死之路，严刑罚也。开必得之门，信庆赏也。不为不可成，量民力也。不求不可得，不强民以其所恶也。不处不可久，不偷取壹世也。不行不可复，不欺其民也。 |
| | Place the state on a foundation that will not tilt, accumulate stores in granaries that will never dry up , store wealth in treasuries that will never be exhausted, issue decrees from the source of flowing water, employ officials who do not incite contention among the people, clarify paths that lead inevitably to death, and open doors through which rewards are certain. Do not pursue what cannot be achieved; do not seek what is unattainable; do not dwell in situations that cannot endure; do not act in ways that cannot be reversed. To place the state on a foundation it will not tilt from is to entrust power to those of virtue. To accumulate stores in granaries that never dry up means to focus on the five grains. To store wealth in treasuries from which resources never run out means to cultivate mulberry and hemp, and raise the six domestic animals. To issue decrees from the source of a flowing stream means to ensure that commands align with the people's wishes. To employ officials who do not provoke contention among the people means to assign each person a role in which they can best utilize their strengths. Clarifying paths that inevitably lead to death means enforcing strict punishments. Opening doors through which rewards are assured means ensuring the credibility of honors and rewards. Not pursuing what cannot be achieved means assessing the people's strength. Not seeking what is unattainable means not forcing the people to do what they dislike. Not dwelling in situations that cannot last means not recklessly pursuing short-term gains. Not acting in ways that cannot be undone means not deceiving the people.
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| | 牧民: |
如地如天，何私何亲，如月如日，维君之节，御人之辔，在上之所贵，导民之门，在上之所先，召民之路，在上之所好恶，故君求之则臣得之，君嗜之则臣食之，君好之则臣服之，无蔽汝恶，无异汝度，贤者将不汝助，言室满室，言堂满堂，是谓圣王，城郭沟渠，不足以固守，兵甲勇力，不足以应敌，博地多财，不足以有衆，唯有道者，能备患于未形也。天下不患无臣，患无君以使人，天下不患无财，患无人以分之，故知时者可立以为长，无私者可置以为政，审于时而察于用而能备官者，可奉以为君也。缓者后于事，吝于财者失所亲，信小人者失士。 |
| | Just as the earth and sky are impartial, there should be no private favor or personal bias. Just as the moon and sun shine equally, this is the virtue of a ruler. The reins by which people are guided depend on what those in power value; the gateway through which the people are led depends on what leaders prioritize first; the path that draws the people follows from what rulers like or dislike. Therefore, when a ruler seeks something, his ministers will obtain it for him; when he desires food, his subjects will eat it with him; and when he favors certain customs, his followers will adopt them. Do not hide your vices, do not deviate from established standards—only then will the virtuous assist you. When one speaks in a room, others fill the room to listen; when one speaks in a hall, others gather throughout the hall. This is what is called a sage-king. Walls and moats are insufficient for defense alone; weapons and martial strength cannot guarantee victory over enemies; vast territory and abundant wealth do not ensure widespread support. Only those who follow the Way can prepare for dangers before they arise. The world does not suffer from a lack of ministers, but from the absence of a ruler who can lead and employ them . The world does not suffer from lacking wealth, but from having no one to distribute it fairly. Therefore, those who understand the times may be appointed as leaders; those without personal bias may be entrusted with governance. Those who discern the right moment, examine proper use of resources, and are capable of appointing officials appropriately can be honored as rulers. Those who act slowly fall behind in affairs; those who are stingy with wealth lose the loyalty of their loved ones; and those who trust petty people lose their virtuous retainers.
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