Tao Te Ching Chapter 17
paulpengThe Original Chinese Text
太上,下知有之;其次，亲而誉之;其次，畏之;其次，侮之。信不足,焉有不信焉。悠兮,其贵言。功成事遂,百姓皆谓我自然。
In the highest antiquity, (the people) did not know that there were (their rulers). In the next age they loved them and praised them. In the next they feared them; in the nextthey despised them.Thus it was that when faith (in the Dao) was deficient (in the rulers) a want of faith in the mensued (in the people).How irresolute did those (earliest rulers) appear, showing (by their reticence) the importance which they set upon their words! Their work was done andtheir undertakings were successful, while the people all said,“We are as we are, of ourselves!”
【译文】最高明的君主，黎民仅仅感觉到他的存在却感觉不到他起的作用;稍次一点的君主，黎民会亲近他、赞誉他;再次一点的君主，黎民会畏惧他;最次的君主，黎民会侮辱蔑视他。许诺没有价值，那里就会产生不信任。君主要谨慎小心,要重视自己发布的政令。国家安宁达到了预期的目标，黎民都认为君主顺应自然而没有过多的干预。
Translation:
The wisest rulers are those whose people merely sense their presence but are unaware of their intervention. Slightly less wise rulers are those whom the people love and praise. Further down are rulers whom the people fear. The worst rulers are those whom the people disdain and insult. When promises hold no value, distrust arises. Rulers must act with caution and cherish their decrees. When the state achieves tranquility as intended, the people will believe the ruler has followed nature’s way without excessive interference.
