第五十八章

其政闷闷，其民淳淳；其政察察，其民缺缺。祸兮，福之所倚；福兮，祸之所伏。孰知其极：其无正也。正复为奇，善复为妖。人之迷，其日固久。是以圣人方而不割，廉而不刿，直而不肆，光而不耀。

Chapter 58

Boring governance leads to honest citizens, strict governance leads to shrewd citizens. Misfortune brings fortune, and fortune breeds misfortune. Who would know which way would be the right way: it has no definitive form. Right can be wrong, kind can be evil. People have been confounded for a long time. A sage is honest but not stubborn, possessing weapons but not hurtful, straightforward but not malicious, and bright but not dazzling. 

第五十九章

治人事天，莫若啬。夫唯啬，是谓早服；早服谓之重积德；重积德则无不克；无不克则莫知其极，莫知其极，可以有国；有国之母，可以长久。是谓根深固柢，长生久视之道。

Chapter 59

Govern according to nature, it's vital to preserve. Preservation helps advance readiness. Readiness helps accumulate achievements, achievements accumulated leads conquests, conquest demonstrates infinite strength. Infinite strength enables one to rule a state. With sound principles, the state can last. This is a deep-rooted way for a lasting governance. 

第六十章

治大国，若烹小鲜，以道莅天下，其鬼不神。非其鬼不神，其神不伤人。非其神不伤人，圣人亦不伤人。夫两不相伤，故德交归焉。

Chapter 60

Governing a big state is similar to cooking a small fish. With Tao, spirits are no longer magical, and they will not hurt people, neither will the sages. When neither spirits nor sages are able to hurt, citizens will then benefit.