Use orthodoxy to order a nation
Use wonder to wield an army
Do not interfere in worldly affairs, and attain the world

How do I know this is so?
Because it's right here

When the world is full of taboos
The people are beset by poverty

When the people gather blades
The nation's place grows late

Man seeks to be crafty
Wonderful things are erected
Law and order is excessively shown
Bandits and thieves get more and more

So the Sage speaks:
I play no part
And the people transform of their own accord
I love stillness
And the people follow their own orthodoxy
I do not interfere
And the people are wealthy as they are
I do not desire
And the people return to simplicity

以正治國
以奇用兵
以無事取天下

吾何以知其然哉
以此

天下多忌諱
而民彌貧

民多利器
國家滋昏

人多伎巧
奇物滋起
法令滋彰
盜賊多有

故聖人云
我無為
而民自化
我好靜
而民自正
我無事
而民自富
我無欲
而民自樸