The people starve because those above them eat too much tax-grain. That is the only reason why they starve.

The people are difficult to keep in order because those above them interfere. That is the only reason why they are so difficult to keep in order. The people attach no importance to death, Because those above them are too grossly absorbed in the pursuit of life. That is why they attach no importance to death. And indeed, in that their hearts are so little set on life They are superior to these who set store by life.

A. Si le peuple a faim, c’est parce que le prince dévore des sommes excessives .

B. Si le peuple est rétif, c’est parce que le prince agit trop, .

C. Si le peuple s’expose légèrement à la mort , c’est parce qu’il aime trop la vie .

D. Celui qui ne fait rien pour vivre, est plus sage que celui qui se donne du mal pour vivre.

Si le peuple a faim, c’est à cause de la quantité d’impôts qui sont consommés par ses supérieurs : voilà pourquoi il a faim.

Si le peuple est difficile à gouverner, c’est à cause de l’activité de ses supérieurs : voilà pourquoi il est difficile à gouverner.

Si le peuple prend la mort à la légère, c’est à cause de l’excès de ses efforts pour vivre : voilà pourquoi il prend la mort à la légère.

En effet, c’est précisément en n’agissant pas pour vivre, qu’on est plus sage que si on prise la vie.

Le peuple est affamé pendant que les grands dévorent ; oui, il est affamé. Le peuple est difficile à gouverner quand les grands agissent ; oui, il est difficile à gouverner. Le peuple méprise la mort quand il est contraint de se révolter pour son existence ; oui, il méprise la mort. Il ne s’intéresse pas à vivre ; que les hommes fidèles s’intéressent à vivre.

O povo tem fome

quando os senhores cobram impostos pesados.

Por isso tem fome.

O povo é difícil de ser governado quando os senhores são atuantes demais.

Por isso é difícil de ser governado.

O povo encara a morte com leviandade quando vive com dificuldade.

Por isso não se importa com a morte.

Apenas quem não está absorvido na luta pela vida pode sabiamente apreciá-la.

Quando as taxas são muito altas, as pessoas ficam famintas. Quando o governo é muito intrusivo, as pessoas perdem seu espírito. Aja pelo benefício das pessoas. Confie nelas; deixe-as por conta própria.

The people suffer from famine because of the multitude of taxes consumed by their superiors. It is through this that they suffer famine.

The people are difficult to govern because of the agency of their superiors . It is through this that they are difficult to govern.

The people make light of dying because of the greatness of their labours in seeking for the means of living. It is this which makes them think light of dying. Thus it is that to leave the subject of living altogether out of view is better than to set a high value on it.