1. in the highest antiquity, (the people) did not know that there were (their rulers). in the next age they loved them and praised them. in the next they feared them; in the next they despised them. thus it was that when faith (in the tao) was deficient (in the rulers) a want of faith in them ensued (in the people).

2. how irresolute did those (earliest rulers) appear, showing (by their reticence) the importance which they set upon their words! their work was done and their undertakings were successful, while the people all said, 'we are as we are, of ourselves!'

太上，不知有之；

其次，亲之、誉之；

其次，畏之；

其次，侮之。

信不足焉，有不信焉，悠兮其贵言。

功成事遂，百姓皆谓"我自然"。

【译文】

最好的统治者，人们觉察不到他的存在。

其次的统治者，人们亲近他、赞誉他。

再次的统治者，人们畏惧他。

最次的统治者，人们轻侮他。

威信有所缺损，就会导致整个威信架构的倒塌，闲着点吧，慎作仗名立言之事。最好是一切事情都办理妥当了，百姓们却说"我们是自然而然的"。