Chapter 65
第六十五章
The ancients who showed their skill in practising the Tao did so, not to enlighten the people, but rather to make them simple and ignorant.
古之善为道者，非以明民，将以愚之。
The difficulty in governing the people arises from their having much knowledge.
民之难治，以其多智。
He who (tries to) govern a state by his wisdom is a scourge to it; while he who does not (try to) do so is a blessing.
故以智治国国之贼，以不智治国国之福。

He who knows these two things finds in them also his model and rule.
次两者亦稽式。
Ability to know this model and rule constitutes what we call the mysterious excellence (of a governor).
常知稽式，是谓玄德。
Deep and far-reaching is such mysterious excellence, showing indeed its possessor as opposite to others, but leading them to a great conformity to him.
玄德深矣远矣，与物反矣，乃至大顺。