1. the people suffer from famine because of the multitude of taxes consumed by their superiors. it is through this that they suffer famine.

2. the people are difficult to govern because of the (excessive) agency of their superiors (in governing them). it is through this that they are difficult to govern.

3. the people make light of dying because of the greatness of their labours in seeking for the means of living. it is this which makes them think light of dying. thus it is that to leave the subject of living altogether out of view is better than to set a high value on it.

民之饥，以其上食税之多，是以饥。

民之难治，以其上之有为，是以难治。

民之轻死，以其上求生之厚，是以轻死。

夫唯无以生为者，是贤于贵生。

【译文】

人民之所以遭受饥荒，是由于统治者吞食的赋税太多，所以才遭受饥荒。人民之所以难以被治理，是由于统治者太过贪求功名，所以才难以被治理。人民之所以轻生冒死，是由于统治者自奉过奢而搜刮过甚，所以才冒死轻生。只有不以人民生计的危及作为前提而作为的人君，才是真正擅长于善养自己的生命的人君。