節用(上)

When a sage governs a single state, that state can be doubled in prosperity; when he governs the realm at large, the realm can be doubled. This doubling is not achieved by taking land from abroad; it is achieved by eliminating useless expenditures within one's own state, which is sufficient to double it. When the sage king governs, in issuing commands, initiating projects, employing the people, and using resources, he does nothing that does not add to utility. Therefore resources are not wasted, the people's energy is not exhausted, and the benefits he produces are many.

What is the purpose of clothing? To ward off cold in winter and heat in summer. For all clothing, whatever adds warmth in winter or coolness in summer is acceptable; whatever does not add to these, eliminate it. What is the purpose of dwellings? To ward off wind and cold in winter, heat and rain in summer. Whatever adds security against thieves and bandits is acceptable; whatever does not add to this, eliminate it.

What then is hard to double? Only people are hard to double; yet there is a way to double the population. The sage kings of old made a law, saying: 'Men at age twenty must not fail to marry; women at age fifteen must not fail to be given in marriage.' This was the law of the sage kings.