1. the sage has no invariable mind of his own; he makes the mind of the people his mind.

2. to those who are good (to me), i am good; and to those who are not good (to me), i am also good;--and thus (all) get to be good. to those who are sincere (with me), i am sincere; and to those who are not sincere (with me), i am also sincere;--and thus (all) get to be sincere.

3. the sage has in the world an appearance of indecision, and keeps his mind in a state of indifference to all. the people all keep their eyes and ears directed to him, and he deals with them all as his children.

圣人无常心，以百姓之心为心。

善者，吾善之；不善者，吾亦善之──德善。

信者，吾信之；不信者，吾亦信之──德信。

圣人在天下，歙歙焉为天下浑其心。

百姓皆注其耳目，圣人皆孩之。

【译文】

圣人没有恒常不变的思想主张，他以百姓的思想主张为思想主张。百姓的主张，合于自己的价值观的，予以善待；不合于自己的价值观的，也予以善待。这样就可以得到人们的共同善待。百姓的观点，自己认为正确的，予以信任；自己不认为是正确的，也予以信任。这样就可以获得人们的共同信任。圣人在天下，忍气吞声似的为了天下而使自己陷于糊涂。百姓们聪明而自觉，圣人则像慈母对待孩子一样对待他们。