60. Ruling a Great State
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
治大国若烹小鲜。
English translation
Governing a large state is like cooking a small fish.
A small fish falls apart if handled too much. In the same way, government should avoid constant interference and needless disruption.
Original Chinese text
以道莅天下，其鬼不神；非其鬼不神，其神不伤人；非其神不伤人，圣人亦不伤人。
English translation
When the world is governed in keeping with the Way, its spirits do not display harmful power. It is not that the spirits have no power, but that their power does not injure people. Nor is it only their power that does no harm; the sage does no harm either.
Using the spirit language of its time, the passage centers on avoiding harm. Under sound rule, neither unseen forces nor those in authority become a danger to the people.
Original Chinese text
夫两不相伤，故德交归焉。
English translation
When neither of the two causes harm, their virtues meet and return together.
The “two” refers back to spiritual powers and the sage's rule. When both refrain from harming people, their effects converge in a shared order of care.