Legge Translation (1861)

Zizhang asked Confucius, saying: "In what way should a person in authority act, in order that he may conduct government well?"

The Master replied: "Let him honor the five excellent, and banish the four bad, things; — then may he conduct government well."

Zizhang said: "What are meant by the five excellent things?"

The Master said: "When the person in authority is beneficent without great expenditure; when he lays tasks on the people without their repining; when he pursues what he desires without being covetous; when he maintains a dignified ease without being proud; when he is majestic without being fierce."

Zizhang said: "What is meant by being beneficent without great expenditure?"

The Master replied: "When the person in authority makes more beneficial to the people the things from which they naturally derive benefit; — is not this being beneficent without great expenditure? When he chooses the labors which are proper, and makes them labor on them, who will repine? When his desires are set on benevolent government, and he realizes it, who will be covetous? Whether he has to do with many people or few, or with things great or small, he does not dare to indicate any disrespect; — is not this to maintain a dignified ease without any pride? He adjusts his clothes and cap, and settles his gaze, so that by his untroubled dignity he inspires the people with awe, and they look up to him; — is not this to be majestic without being fierce?"

Zizhang then asked: "What are meant by the four bad things?"

The Master said: "To put the people to death without having instructed them; — this is called cruelty. To require from them, suddenly, the full tale of work, without having given them warning; — this is called oppression. To issue orders as if without urgency, at first, and, when the time comes, to insist on them with severity; — this is called injury. And, generally, in the giving pay or rewards to men, to do it in a stingy way; — this is called acting the part of a mere official."