manage a great nation as you would cook a delicate fish.

to govern men in accord with nature

it is best to be restrained;

restraint makes agreement easy to attain,

and easy agreement builds harmonious relationships;

with sufficient harmony no resistance will arise;

when no resistance arises, then you possess the heart of the nation,

and when you possess the nation’s heart, your influence will long endure:

deeply rooted and firmly established.

this is the method of far sight and long life.