管子 Guanzi · Chapter 66
Commentary on the Template Law
Modeling on Heaven and Earth's Positions
版法者，法天地之位，象四時之行，以治天下。四時之行，有寒有暑，聖人法之，故有文有武。
The Template Law models itself on the positions of heaven and earth and patterns itself on the movement of the four seasons to govern all under heaven. The movement of the four seasons includes both cold and heat; the sage models his governance on this, and therefore employs both civil virtue and martial force.
Three Instruments and Six Assaults of Governance
治國有三器，亂國有六攻。明君能勝六攻而立三器，則國治。三器者何也？曰：號令也、斧鉗也、祿賞也。六攻者何也？曰：親也、貴也、貨也、色也、巧佞也、玩好也。
A well-governed state has three instruments; a disordered state suffers six assaults. When the enlightened ruler can prevail over the six assaults and establish the three instruments, the state is well governed. What are the three instruments? They are: commands, the executioner's axe, and salaries and rewards. What are the six assaults? They are: kinship, noble rank, wealth, beauty, clever flattery, and playthings.