When the ruler knows his own heart
the people are simple and pure
When he meddles with their lives
they become restless and disturbed
Bad fortune, yes—
it rests upon good fortune
Good fortune, yes—
it hides within bad fortune
Oh the things that Heaven sends—
Who can know their final aim?
Who can tell of their endless ways?
Today the righteous turn to trickery
Tomorrow the good turn to darkness
Oh what delusion abounds
and every day it grows worse!
But the Sage is here upon the Earth
to gently guide us back
He cuts but does not harm
He straightens but does not disrupt
He illumines but does not dazzle