國務

King Wen asked Taigong: 'I wish to hear about the great affairs of governing the state. I want to make the ruler honored and the people secure — how should this be done?' Taigong said: 'Simply love the people.' King Wen asked: 'How does one love the people?' Taigong said: 'Benefit them and do not harm them. Help them succeed and do not cause them to fail. Give them life and do not kill them. Give to them and do not take from them. Bring them joy and do not cause them suffering. Make them glad and do not anger them.'

King Wen said: 'Please explain the reasons.' Taigong said: 'When the people do not lose their occupations, that benefits them. When farmers do not miss the proper seasons, that helps them succeed. When punishments are reduced, that gives them life. When taxes are light, that gives to them. When palaces and terraces are built modestly, that brings them joy. When officials are honest and do not harass them, that makes them glad. When the people lose their occupations, that harms them. When farmers miss the proper seasons, that causes them to fail. When the innocent are punished, that kills them. When taxes are heavy, that takes from them. When many palaces and terraces are built to exhaust the people's strength, that causes them suffering. When officials are corrupt and harassing, that angers them. Therefore one who governs the state well guides the people as parents love their children, as an elder brother loves his younger brother. When he sees them hungry and cold, he worries for them; when he sees them laboring and suffering, he grieves for them. Rewards and punishments are as if applied to his own body; taxes are as if taken from his own possessions. This is the way of loving the people.'