第八十章：小国寡民

第八十章
原文：
小国寡民。使有什伯之器而不用；使民重死而不远徙。虽有舟舆，无所乘之，虽有甲兵，无所陈之。使民复结绳而用之。甘其食，美其服，安其居，乐其俗。邻国相望，鸡犬之声相闻，民至老死，不相往来。
译文：
国家小，人少。即使有各种器具也不使用；使人民看重死亡而不向远方迁徙；虽有船车，没有乘坐的必要；虽有武器装备，没有陈列布阵的必要。使人民回复到结绳记事的状态。吃得香甜，穿的漂亮。住的安逸，过得欢乐，邻国之间互相望得见，鸡鸣犬吠的声音互相听得见。而人民从生到死，都不互相往来。
英文版：
Imagine a small country with few people.
They have weapons and do not employ them;
they enjoy the labor of their hands
and do not waste time inventing laborsaving machines.
They take death seriously and do not travel far.
Since they dearly love their homes,
they are not interested in travel.
Although they have boats and carriages,
no one uses them.
They are content with healthy food,
pleased with useful clothing,
satisfied in snug homes,
and protective of their way of life.
Although they live within sight of their neighbors,
and crowing cocks and barking dogs can be
heard across the way,
they leave each other in peace
while they grow old and die.