不尚賢，
使民不爭；
不貴難得之貨，
使民不為盜；
不見可欲，
使心不亂。

是以聖人之治，
虛其心，
實其腹，
弱其志，
強其骨。

常使民無知無欲。

使夫知者不敢為也。

為無為，
則無不治。

Don’t glorify heroes,
& people will not contend.
Don’t collect expensive rare goods,
& people will not steal.
Don’t show what people desire,
& hearts will not be disturbed.

Therefore the sage, when governing,
empties their minds,
fills their stomachs,
weakens their ambitions,
& strengthens their bones.

They constantly instruct people
lacking knowledge & desire.

They instruct knowledgable workers
to not be presumptuous.

Practice non-action,
then non-control.