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Chapter

75

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。

People are hungry because the sovereign imposes too much taxes. That's why they are hungry.
People are difficult to control because the sovereign practices "Youwei" (constrain). That is why it is difficult to control.
People despise death because the sovereign seeks too hardly luxury (and people lose hope). That is why they despise death.
Those who do not get lost in luxury are wiser than the wealth-seekers.

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