一孔录

English version: the interface and Yikonglu's notes are translated; quoted commentary stays in Chinese. The Chinese page is authoritative.

道德经

Books › Daodejing › Dao Jing

Dao Jing · chapter 17 of 81 · not yet coveredThe best rulers

The video for this chapter is still in production. For now this page gives the original text, the facsimile page, a working translation and the commentary; the full reading follows when the video is out.

太上,下知有之;其次,親而譽之;其次,畏之;其次,侮之。信不足焉,有不信焉。悠兮其貴言。功成事遂,百姓皆謂我自然。
Original text from the Siku Quanshu edition of the Laozi Daodejing with Wang Bi’s commentary, page 41, 42, 43, 44 of the base edition.

The best rulers: those below merely know they exist. Next: they are loved and praised. Next: they are feared. Next: they are despised. When trust is lacking, there is distrust. Unhurried, the best ruler values his words. The work is done, the task achieved, and the people all say, "We did it naturally ourselves."

Draft translation following Wang Bi’s commentary; it will be revised when the chapter is taught.

What this chapter says

一孔按:在上位的人,最好是不出头、不多话,让事情自己成;被夸、被怕、被瞧不起,一等比一等离这个远。常有人问“好到让人感觉不到,算什么好”,上面是一孔录的回答。

Yikonglu's reading of this chapter is in Chinese for now; the English version comes with the video.

白Plain Chinese

最好的统治者,百姓只知道有这么个人;其次的,百姓亲近他、称赞他;再次的,百姓畏惧他;再次的,百姓轻侮他。统治者诚信不足,百姓就不信任他。悠然啊,他不轻易发号施令。事情办成了,百姓都说:我们本来就是这样的。

Draft plain-Chinese rendering following Wang Bi; it will be checked when the chapter is taught.

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