【原文】城郭沟渠，不足以固守；兵甲彊力，不足以应敌；博地多财，不足以有众。惟有道者，能备患于未形也，故祸不萌。天下不患无臣，患无君以使之。天下不患无财，患无人以分之。《牧民》

 

【汉解】单靠城郭沟渠，不一定能固守；仅有强大的武力和装备，不一定能御敌；地大物博，群众不一定就拥护。只有有道的君主，能做到防患于未然，才可避免灾祸的发生。天下不怕没有能臣，怕的是没有君主去使用他们；天下不怕没有财货，怕的是无人去管理它们。

 

【英译】City and suburban walls, moats and ditches will not suffice to secure one’s defenses. Arms and physical force will not suffice to meet the enemy. Vast territory and abundant wealth will not suffice to hold the masses. Only those who adhere to the true Way are able to prepare for trouble before it arises so calamities will not occur. The trouble is not that the realm lacks ministers, but rather that there is no prince to employ them. Nor is it that it lacks wealth, but rather that no one distributes it.