The people do not fear death. Those who govern the state impose harsh and severe punishments, leaving the people with no means to survive; thus, they do not fear death. Those who cultivate themselves are harmed in spirit by excessive desires and killed by greed for wealth; yet the people do not know to fear these things. How can one intimidate them with death? If a ruler does not lighten punishments and teach the people to abandon desires, how can one establish laws and penalties to intimidate them with death? If one wishes for the people to always fear death, one should eliminate what causes harm and oppression, and teach the people to renounce greed and desire. And those who act strangely or deceptively, I shall seize and kill them. Who would dare? If the people are taught through Dao but do not follow, and instead act deceptively or craftily, then they should be punished according to royal law and executed; who would dare commit such offenses? Laozi despised the fact that rulers of his time did not first cultivate virtue and moral influence, but instead resorted to punishments and penalties. There is always an authority responsible for execution. The "authority of execution" refers to Heaven, which remains high above and oversees human transgressions.

The heavenly net is vast and loose, yet nothing escapes it. He who takes over the authority of execution is like one who substitutes for a great craftsman in carving. The Dao of Heaven is supremely clear; the authority over execution follows a constant order, just as spring brings growth, summer flourishing, autumn harvest, and winter storage—the movement of the Dipper's handle proceeds according to seasonal rhythms. If a ruler wishes to take over the power of execution, it is like an unskilled man taking the place of a great craftsman in cutting wood—it results only in labor without achievement. He who substitutes for the great craftsman in carving rarely escapes injury to his hands. When a ruler enforces punishments, it is like an unskilled person substituting for the great craftsman; then circles and squares will not conform to their proper forms, and he will only harm himself. He who takes the place of Heaven in carrying out executions violates the principles and order; failing to uphold these principles, he will suffer their consequences. ---