Chapter 74

民不畏死

The English translation of this chapter is still in progress; the Chinese original is shown below. Contributions are welcome at github.com/weitzu-com/tao-te-ching.

民不畏死,奈何以死惧之。

若使民常畏死,而为奇者,吾得执而杀之,孰敢。

常有司杀者杀。

夫代司杀者杀,是谓代大匠斫。

夫代大匠斫者,希有不伤其手矣。