第七十三章

勇于敢则杀，勇于不敢则活。此两者，或利或害，天之所恶，孰知其故？是以圣人犹难之。天之道，不争而善胜，不言而善应，不召而自来， 繟然而善谋。天网恢恢，疏而不失。

Chapter 73

Danger looms with recklessness, survival is gained with prudence. These two, benefit or harm, are loathed universally, and who would know the reason? Even a sage could hardly explain. The law of nature is: one can win without contention, earn respect without boasting, acquire followers without advocating, always well planned and at ease. Like a heavenly net, it’s sparse but vast, with nothing left uncovered.

第七十四章

民不畏死，奈何以死惧之？若使民常畏死，而为奇者，我得执而杀之……孰敢？常有司杀者杀。夫代司杀者杀，是代大匠斫。夫代大匠斫者，鲜有不伤其手者矣。

Chapter 74

Why threatening people with death, when it is not feared? If death is feared, we could kill those criminals, and then who would dare to commit crimes again? Law inforcers kill on behalf of heaven, as if an average person chop woods on behalf of a skilled carpenter, and this can't avoid hurting his own fingers. 

第七十五章

民之饥，以其上食税之多，是以饥。民之难治，以其上之有为，是以难治。民之轻死，以其上求生之厚，是以轻死。夫唯无以生为者，是贤于贵生。

Chapter 75

Starvation is caused by the oppressive taxations from the ruler, that's why. Citizens become difficult to govern because of oppressive policies and regulations, that's why. People become fearless in law violation because of the ruthless exploitations by the ruling class, that's why. Those who don't pursue luxuries are much more superior rulers than those who do.