Chapter 57: Governing with the Dao (第57章：淳風)

以正治國，以奇用兵，以無事取天下。
吾何以知其然哉？以此：
天下多忌諱，而民彌貧；
民多利器，國家滋昏；
人多技巧，奇物滋起；
法令滋彰，盜賊多有。
故聖人云：我無為，而民自化；我好靜，而民自正；
我無事，而民自富；我無欲，而民自樸。
☸

Translation

Govern the state with the orthodox (Zheng).
Wage war with the extraordinary (Qi).
Win the world with non-interference.

How do I know it is so? By this:
The more prohibitions there are, the poorer the people become.
The more "sharp tools" the people have, the more the state is in confusion.
The more "cleverness" and "skills" people have, the more strange things arise.
The more laws and edicts are displayed, the more thieves and robbers appear.

Therefore the Sage says:
I do not act, and the people transform themselves.
I love stillness, and the people correct themselves.
I do not interfere, and the people become wealthy.
I have no desires, and the people return to simplicity.

✦ ◆ ✦

📜 Liuren Perspective

In Liuren Fajiao, "The Orthodox" (正) refers to our daily ethics, cultivation, and the regular duties of the lineage. "The Extraordinary" (奇) refers to the use of Wicha (Magical Arts) to resolve specific, intense problems. A master knows when to use each.

"The more sharp tools, the more confusion" (民多利器，國家滋昏) is a warning for those who accumulate many magical tools and spells without the wisdom to use them. This leads to spiritual "strange things" (奇物)—unintended consequences and spiritual instability.

The core of our Governance of the Altar is Stillness (靜) and Non-interference (無事). A master who is internally "still" and has "no desires" creates a spiritual field where those who seek help can naturally "transform and correct themselves." The best magic is the one that allows the Dao to do the work.

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