When government is lazy and informal The people are kind and honest; When government is efficient and severe The people are discontented and deceitful. Good fortune follows upon disaster; Disaster lurks within good fortune; Who can say how things will end? Perhaps there is no end. Honesty is ever deceived; 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 rigid, Bright but not blinding.
