【原文】故刑罚不足以畏其意，杀戮不足以服其心。故刑罚繁而意不恐，则令不行矣。杀戮众而心不服，则上位危矣。故从其四欲，则远者自亲；行其四恶，则近者叛之，故知“予之为取者，政之宝也”。《牧民》

 

【汉解】单靠刑罚不足以使人民真正害伯，仅凭杀戮不足以使人民心悦诚服。刑罚繁重而人心不惧，法令就无法推行了；杀戮多行而人心不服，为君者的地位就危险了。因此，满足上述四种人民的愿望，疏远的自会亲近；强行上述四种人民厌恶的事情，亲近的也会叛离。由此可知，“予之于民就是取之于民” 这个原则，是治国的法宝。

 

【英译】Therefore punishment alone is not enough to terrify the minds of the people, nor is killing sufficient to make their hearts submissive. Thus, If the punishments are numerous yet the minds of the people are not terrified, orders will not be carried out. If killing abounds, yet the hearts of the people are not submissive, the position the sovereign will be endangered. Therefore if the prince complies with their four desires, even those in distant places will of themselves rally around him. But if he imposes on them the four things they hate, then even those who are near at hand will turn against him. Thus knowing that “to give is to receive” is the most precious thing in government.