If the people do not fear death
What use is scaring them with it?

Suppose it was the people's tendency to fear death;
If they were acting out, I could plunder them with slaughter!
And who could be brave then?

Wherever there exists the rule of violence
The ruler is like an artisan, hacking away
But if he hacks and hacks, how can he keep at it without chopping his hand?

民不畏死
奈何以死懼之

若使民常畏死
而為奇者吾得執而殺之
孰敢

常有司殺者殺
夫代司殺者殺
是謂代大匠斲
夫代大匠斲者
希有不傷其手矣