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治大国，
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Governing a great nation |
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若烹小鲜。
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Is like frying a small fish. |
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以道莅天下，
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Lead the world with Dao, |
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其鬼不神；
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And evil will lose its influence. |
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非其鬼不神，
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Not that it is powerless, |
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其神不伤人；
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But it will not harm the people. |
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非其神不伤人，
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If the spirits do no harm, |
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圣人亦不伤人。
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Neither will the wise ruler. |
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夫两不相伤，
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When neither harms the other, |
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故德交归焉。
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Virtue and peace prevail. |