Not to value and employ men of superior ability is the way to keep the people from rivalry among themselves;

不尚贤，使民不争；

not to prize articles which are difficult to procure is the way to keep them from becoming thieves;

不贵难得之货，使民不为盗；

not to show them what is likely to excite their desires is the way to keep their minds from disorder.

不见可欲，使民心不乱。

Therefore the sage, in the exercise of his government, empties their minds, fills their bellies, weakens their wills, and strengthens their bones.

是以圣人之治，虚其心，实其腹；弱其志，强其骨。

He constantly (tries to) keep them without knowledge and without desire, and wher there are those who have knowledge, to keep them from presuming to act (on it).

常使民无知无欲，使夫知者不敢为也。

When there is this abstinence from action, good order is universal.

为无为，则无不治。