Chapter 17

太上，不知有之；其次，親而譽之；其次，畏之；其次，侮之。信不足焉，有不信焉，悠兮其貴言。功成事遂，百姓皆謂我自然。

tai shang, bu zhi you zhi
太上，不知有之

Leaders in the very early time did not have the concept of possessing the country and the people.

qi ci, qin er yu zhi
其次，親而譽之

Later when the first emperor emerged, there came the imperial authority imposing the father-and-son relationship on the people and honoring them for the purpose of ruling.

qi ci, wei zhi
其次，畏之

Later on, came the imperial authority using intimidation to frighten the people as a means of ruling.

qi ci, wu zhi
其次，侮之

Further on, came the imperial authority using inhumane punishments as a means of ruling.

xin bu zu yan, you bu
xin yan
信不足焉，有不信焉

When the promise of guaranteeing the people to live is not sufficiently honored, trust of the people in the leader will diminish.

you xi qi gui yan
悠兮其貴言

The leader has to honor his words and his promise of guarantee.

gong cheng shi sui,
bai xing jie wei wo zi ran
功成事遂，百姓皆謂我自然

When the work is done, let the people say, “It is all naturally due to our own hardworking.”