~{ 古之善为道者，非以明民，将以愚之。~}
~{ 民之难治，以其智多。故以智治国，国之贼；不以智治国，国之~}
~{福。~}
~{ 知此两者亦稽式。常知稽式，是谓「玄德」。「玄德」深矣，远~}
~{矣，与物反矣，然后乃至大顺。~}
The ancients did not seek to rule people with knowledge,
But to help them become natural.
It is difficult for knowledgeable people to become natural;
So to use law to control a nation weakens the nation,
But to use nature to control a nation strengthens the nation.
Understanding these two paths is understanding subtlety;
Subtlety runs deep, ranges wide,
Dissolves confusion and preserves peace.