一孔录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.
民之饑，以其上食稅之多，是以饑。民之難治，以其上之有為，是以難治。民之輕死，以其求生之厚，是以輕死。夫唯無以生為者，是賢於貴生。The people starve because those above them eat too much in taxes; that is why they starve. The people are hard to govern because those above them meddle; that is why they are hard to govern. The people take death lightly because they seek life too eagerly; that is why they take death lightly. Only those who do not strive for life are wiser than those who prize life.
白Plain Chinese
百姓饥饿，是因为统治者收的赋税太多，所以饥饿。百姓难以治理，是因为统治者妄加作为，所以难以治理。百姓轻视死亡，是因为统治者奉养自己太过丰厚，所以轻视死亡。只有不把养生当作追求的人，才比过分看重养生的人贤明。
Draft plain-Chinese rendering following Wang Bi; it will be checked when the chapter is taught.
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