【原文】政之所兴，在顺民心。政之所废，在逆民心。民恶忧劳，我佚乐之。民恶贫贱，我富贵之，民恶危坠，我存安之。民恶灭绝，我生育之。《牧民》

 

【汉解】政令所以能推行，在于顺应民心；政令所以废弛，在于违背民心。人民怕忧劳，我便使他安乐；人民怕贫贱，我便使他富贵；人民怕危难，我便使他安定；人民怕灭绝，我便使他生育繁息。

 

【英译】Success in government lies in following the hearts of the people. Failure lies in opposing them. The people hate trouble and toil, so the prince should provide them with leisure and freedom from care. The people hate poverty and low position, so the prince should provide them with riches and honor. The people hate danger and disaster, so the prince should insure their ex- sistence and provide them with security. The people hate death and annihilation, so the prince should enable them to live and propagate.