To govern a country with righteousness, Yi, meaning to reach or arrive at. the heavenly messenger of those who embody uprightness, thereby enabling them to possess a state. To employ troops with stratagems, Qi, meaning deception. the heavenly messenger of those who engage in deceit and falsehood, thereby enabling them to command the use of military forces. To gain dominion over the world by remaining free from entanglements. The heavenly messenger of those who are free from entanglements and non-action to become the ruler of the world. How do I know this to be so? It is through this principle. Laozi said, How do I know the will of Heaven to be thus? It is through what I see today that I know. The world has many taboos, and the people become increasingly poor. Tianxia refers to the ruler of people. Taboos are prohibitions and restrictions. When regulations become excessive, corruption arises; when prohibitions multiply, the people resort to deceit; thus, mutual harm leads to poverty. When the people possess many sharp instruments of power, the state becomes increasingly confused. Liqi refers to authority or power.

When the people have much power, those who observe become dazzled by what they see, and those who listen are confused by what they hear; when this occurs, superiors and subordinates no longer maintain close relations, hence the state falls into confusion. When people possess many skills and cunning, strange and unusual things multiply. Ren refers to the Son of Heaven, feudal lords within a hundred li, etc. Having many skills and techniques refers to carving palaces and pavilions, engraving embroidered garments; strange objects multiply. When the lower emulate the upper, they decorate with gold and jade, elaborate embroidery in colorful patterns, growing increasingly extravagant day by day. When laws and regulations become more prominent, thieves and bandits multiply. Fawu refers to desirable objects or luxuries. When rare and desirable goods multiply and become prominent, agricultural work is neglected; hunger and cold arrive together, leading to an increase in thieves and bandits. Therefore, the sage said: This refers to matters concerning subordinates. I take no action, yet the people transform themselves. The sage said: I cultivate the Dao and follow Heaven, making no changes or actions, yet the people naturally achieve transformation. I prefer tranquility, and the people themselves become upright. The sage said: I favor stillness, speaking not and teaching not, yet the people naturally become loyal and righteous. I take no actions, and the people themselves grow wealthy. I impose no corvée labor or conscriptions; the people remain at peace in their occupations, hence all become naturally prosperous. I have no desires, and the people themselves return to simplicity. I constantly remain without desire, removing ornate patterns and fine attire; the people then follow me in becoming simple and unadorned. The sage said: I cultivate the Dao, preserve authenticity, and sever all six emotions; thus the people naturally follow me in becoming pure.