1. he whose boldness appears in his daring (to do wrong, in defiance of the laws) is put to death; he whose boldness appears in his not daring (to do so) lives on. of these two cases the one appears to be advantageous, and the other to be injurious. but

when heaven's anger smites a man,

who the cause shall truly scan? on this account the sage feels a difficulty (as to what to do in the former case).

2. it is the way of heaven not to strive, and yet it skilfully overcomes; not to speak, and yet it is skilful in (obtaining a reply; does not call, and yet men come to it of themselves. its demonstrations are quiet, and yet its plans are skilful and effective. the meshes of the net of heaven are large; far apart, but letting nothing escape.

勇于敢则杀，勇于不敢则活。

此两者，或利或害，天之所恶，孰知其故？

是以圣人犹难之。

天之道，不争而善胜，不言而善应，不召而自来， 繟然而善谋。

天网恢恢，疏而不失。

【译文】

勇于无所顾忌，则充满凶险；勇于不无所顾忌，则稳妥灵活。这两种方式有的得利，有的受害，自然环境所厌弃的，谁知道它的缘故？因此，圣人从事于任何事务都要作充分的审慎犹豫。最好的行进方式应是：不犟执抗争却善于取胜，不强颁立言却广有响应，不大声疾呼而人们却共赴其事，从容坦然却自有筹谋。完善的涵摄之网的覆盖范围无比广大，虽疏若无有，但没有事物从中漏失。