When government is lazy and blunt The people are kind and honest; When government is efficient and severe The people are discontented and deceitful. Misery may yield happiness; Happiness may conceal misery. Who can say which will be for the best? Nothing is straightforward. Honesty is ever corrupted; Kindness is ever seduced; Men have been like this for a long time. So the sage is firm but not cutting, Pointed but not piercing, Straight but not inflexible, Brilliant but not blinding. |
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