權修

In a state of ten thousand chariots, the army cannot be without a commander; when the territory is vast, the countryside cannot be without officials; when the people are numerous, the offices cannot be without supervisors; when wielding the people's fate, the court cannot be without governance. When the land is vast yet the state is poor, the fields have not been opened. When the people are many yet the army is weak, the people lack incentive. Therefore, if non-essential production is not prohibited, the fields will not be opened. If rewards and punishments are not trustworthy, the people will lack incentive.

The earth produces wealth in its seasons; the people's labor has its limits of exhaustion; yet the ruler's desires are boundless. Using what is seasonal and what is exhaustible to nourish a ruler of boundless appetite, if proper measure does not arise between them, then superior and inferior will resent each other. This is why there are ministers who have killed their rulers and sons who have killed their fathers. Therefore: take from the people with measure and use resources with restraint, and the state, though small, will surely be secure. Take from the people without measure and use resources without restraint, and the state, though great, will surely be imperiled.

For a plan of one year, nothing is better than planting grain. For a plan of ten years, nothing is better than planting trees. For a plan of a lifetime, nothing is better than cultivating people. Plant once and harvest once — that is grain. Plant once and harvest tenfold — that is trees. Plant once and harvest a hundredfold — that is people. If I plant diligently, the harvest comes as if by divine power. To accomplish affairs as if by divine power — this is the gate of the true king.

All who shepherd the people desire that the people be upright. To desire the people's uprightness, one must not fail to prohibit minor wickedness — for minor wickedness is the origin of great wickedness. If minor wickedness is not prohibited and one seeks that great wickedness not harm the state, this cannot be achieved. All who shepherd the people desire the people to have propriety — then minor breaches of propriety must not be neglected. All who shepherd the people desire the people to have duty — then minor duties must not go unperformed. All who shepherd the people desire the people to have integrity — then minor points of integrity must not go unattended. All who shepherd the people desire the people to have shame — then minor matters of shame must not go unregarded.

All who shepherd the people desire that the people be governable. To desire the people's governability, the law must not be left unexamined. Law is what establishes the court. To establish the court, rank and vestments must not fail to be honored. If rank and vestments are bestowed on the unworthy, the people will despise them; when the people despise rank and vestments, the ruler is not honored; when the ruler is not honored, commands will not be carried out. Law is what employs the people's strength — therefore emoluments must be generous. Law is what employs the people's ability — therefore appointments must be judicious. Law is what employs the people's lives — therefore punishments must be carefully examined.