古之善为道者，非以明民，将以愚之。
1The ancients who showed their skill in practising the Tao did so, not to enlighten the people, but rather to make them simple and ignorant.
民之难治，以其智多。
2The difficulty in governing the people arises from their having much knowledge.
故以智治国，国之贼；不以智治国，国之福。
3He who (tries to) govern a state by his wisdom is a scourge to it; while he who does not (try to) do so is a blessing.
知此两者亦稽式。
4He who knows these two things finds in them also his model and rule.
常知稽式，是谓玄德。
5Ability to know this model and rule constitutes what we call the mysterious excellence (of a governor).
玄德深矣，远矣，与物反矣，然后乃至大顺。
6Deep and far-reaching is such mysterious excellence, showing indeed its possessor as opposite to others, but leading them to a great conformity to him.