← Table of contents Tao Te Ching illustration
小国寡民。
Xiǎo guó guǎ mín.
A small country with few people.
使有什伯之器而不用;
Shǐ yǒu shí bǎi zhī qì ér bù yòng;
They have tools that can do the work of many but choose not to use them.
使民重死而不远徙。
Shǐ mín zhòng sǐ ér bù yuǎn xǐ.
They hold death in reverence and do not wander far.
虽有舟舆,
Suī yǒu zhōu yú,
Though they have boats and carriages,
无所乘之,
Wú suǒ chéng zhī,
They have nowhere to go.
虽有甲兵,
Suī yǒu jiǎ bīng,
Though they possess armor and weapons,
无所陈之。
Wú suǒ chén zhī.
They do not display them.
使民复结绳而用之。
Shǐ mín fù jié shéng ér yòng zhī.
They return to knotting ropes for records.
甘其食,
Gān qí shí,
Their food is simple but satisfying,
美其服,
Měi qí fú,
Their clothes are fine and plain,
安其居,
Ān qí jū,
Their homes are secure,
乐其俗。
Lè qí sú.
They are content with their traditions.
邻国相望,
Lín guó xiāng wàng,
Though neighboring countries are within sight,
鸡犬之声相闻,
Jī quǎn zhī shēng xiāng wén,
And they hear the sounds of roosters and dogs across the way,
民至老死,
Mín zhì lǎo sǐ,
They grow old and die,
不相往来。
Bù xiāng wǎng lái.
Without ever visiting each other.