A small nation with few people:

Causes the standing regiments arms to be an unused tool
And causes the people to respect death, not travelling far

Even if they have boats and carriages
There is no place to ride to!
Even if there are arms and armour
There is no place to exhibit them!

It would cause the people to return from writing to knotted rope
It would sweeten their meals
Beautify their garb
Stabilise their homes
And return joy to their customs!

The neighbouring states would be within sight
And the rooster calls and dog barks be heard by one another

The people would grow old and die
Without interfering with one another

小國寡民

使有什伯之器而不用
使民重死而不遠徙

雖有舟輿
無所乘之
雖有甲兵
無所陳之

使民復結繩而用之
甘其食
美其服
安其居
樂其俗

鄰國相望
雞犬之聲相聞

民至老死
不相往來