第八十章  天人合一

小国寡民。使有什伯之器而不用，使民重死而不远徙。虽有舟舆无所乘之，虽有甲兵无所陈之。使民复结绳而用之。
甘其食，美其服，安其居，乐其俗。邻国相望，鸡犬之声相闻，民至老死不相往来。

Harmony between Nature and Human

An ideal, peaceful nation issupposed to have small communities with few people in harmony with nature.Although they have goods and equipment in abundance few of them are even used.They have great love of life, and are content to be right where they are.

Even though they have plenty ofhorses, wagons and boats, they won't feel that they need to use them. Even ifthey have weapons and shields, they will keep them out of sight.

Even if there are ships andcarriages, none will ride in them. Even if there are arrows and weapons, nonewill display them.

People prefer to re t a simplelife to keep knotted rope for records. they are contented with their food, pleasedwith their clothing, satisfied with their houses, and and delighted in theircustoms.

And eventhough the next country is so close

that peoplecan hear its roosters crowing and its dogs

barking,

They arecontent to lead a life in natural way,

And they don’thave curiosity to know more about their neighbors.

 [译文]

远古时期国家地域小，人口少。那时，即使有各种器具也派不上用途；百姓重养生，不远征迁徙。虽有船只车辆，也不必乘坐；虽有武器装备，也无处陈列。使人们回到古代结绳记事之年代的生活，吃的香，穿的舒适，住的称心，乐融融地生活。