十七章

　　太上，不知有之；其次，亲而誉之；其次，畏之；其次，侮之。信不足焉，
有不信焉。悠兮，其贵言。功成事遂，百姓皆谓：「我自然」。

Chapter 17. Rulers

The best rulers are scarcely known by their subjects;

The next best are loved and praised;

The next are feared;

The next despised:

They have no faith in their people,

And their people become unfaithful to them.

When the best rulers achieve their purpose

Their subjects claim the achievement as their own.