An Abstract:
If the king on one side and his ministers on the other maintain their relation as appropriate to their respective positions and perform their respective duties, it is called “no meddling”. If the worthy and unworthy are ranked properly, it is called “good order”. If mobilization for military and other public services and demobilization follow the Heavenly law of seasonal changes on Earth, it is called “good civil administration” (“文”,“文治”). If force is properly used to punish injustice and evil, it is called “heroic military feat” (“武”,“武功”). Morally sound government wins the favor of Heaven. And a Heaven-blessed power is ever-victorious. By fitting one’s action into the Way of Heaven and Earth, having regard for people’s thoughts and feelings, and adopting civil and military measures in a well-coordinated way, one can win support from all-under-heaven.

The Text:
If the power relation between the sovereign and his ministers is inverted, it is called “going against the basic human relations principle on the state level”. If the worthy and unworthy are not properly distinguished in their rank and status, it is called “disorder”. If the timing of farm work and military service does not fit the cycle of seasons, it is called “going against Heaven’s order of time”. If innocent people are suppressed or put to death while the evil and criminal at large, it is called tyranny.

The inverted relation between the sovereign and ministers would destroy the mainstay for the soundness of the state. The disorder will make people neglectful of their respective duties. Going against the cycle of seasons is to waste away the opportunities bestowed by Heaven. Tyrannical use of force will estrange the people.

The collapse of the mainstay predicts the destruction of the state. Officials’ neglect of duties predicts detriment to people’s livelihood and basic interests. Wasting away Heaven-bestowed opportunities predicts famine. Estrangement of people predicts widespread resentment. In a word, every move, back or forth, must abide by the Tao of Heaven. The Tao is not remote from anywhere anytime. No one can escape it.

If the king on one side and his ministers on the other maintain their relation as appropriate to their respective positions and perform their respective duties, it is called “no meddling”. If the worthy and unworthy are ranked properly, it is called “good order”. If mobilization for military and other public services and demobilization follow the Heavenly law of seasonal changes on Earth, it is called “good civil administration” (“文”、“文治”). If force is properly used to punish injustice and evil, it is called “heroic military feat” (“武”、“武功”).

“No meddling” ensures stability. Order ensures peace. Good civil administration prevents corruption. Just use of force can build up strength. Stability provides the foundation for achievement. Good social order attracts worthy people. Morally sound government wins the favor of Heaven. And a Heaven-blessed power is ever-victorious. By fitting one’s action into the Way of Heaven and Earth, having regard of people’s wishes, and adopting civil and military measures in a well-coordinated way, one can win support from all-under-heaven.

By knowing and practicing the above four principles, one can unify all-under-heaven, or at least keep one’s own state safe and sound. If one applies these principles to internal administration but goes against them in handling external affairs, success will not be complete. If one fails to apply them at home, any success in justifiable use of military force abroad cannot save oneself from disgrace. If one violates these principles both internally and externally, one will incur the gravest disaster, resulting in personal destruction and finally that of the state. If one follows the Heavenly Way both in governing the state and treating people of other states, successes will stay with no troubles befalling in the future.

…[Missing words]… The Tao of Heaven is the cardinal principle for all human actions. A good social order is the fundamental guarantee for all human affairs. Compliance with the Tao must start with the basic things and go on to cover internal and external management. If one wages punitive wars against evil forces, it must be in compliance with the Heavenly principle of justice. Breaking faith leaves one in an awkward position. Fighting for injustice hurts oneself. Operations not conducted in the Heavenly Way will hurt oneself. Following it will protect one from being hurt even if one cannot succeed for the time being.

Do not suppress new things to save the dying; nor prevent death for the sake of immortality; nor make a deceptive show of strength to earn an empty reputation. If one’s reputation exceeds what one deserves, it diminishes. Promoting Yang to the point of dying prematurely while promoting Yin to the point of holding back life from due departure –- this is going against the Tao of Yin and Yang. Promoting Yang to put others to undeserved death while promoting Yin to call back one’s own duly departing life –- this is reversing the due relation between Yin and Yang. This double violation of the Tao of Yin and Yang could bring about the fall of a major state if it happens there, and also disgrace and ruin upon the perpetrator himself, if his is a small state.[1] …[Missing words]… One extreme always turns into its opposite; Top-level prosperity turns downhill into decline. –- This is the Tao of Heaven and Earth, and also of human experience. Going against or complying with the same Tao produces different results. To learn to know the difference and act accordingly means to get disciplined in the Tao. If a powerful state can humble itself before a weaker one, what states are there that would not accept it as their leader? If a higher-ranking person humbles himself before a lowly one, what people are there who will not submit themselves to his authority? If a worthy person treats a lesser one modestly, what affairs are there in a state that cannot be managed harmoniously?

Compasses are used to draw circles; Carpenter’s square to draw squares; A hanging cord to check verticalness; Water to check levelness; Chi and cun[2] to measure length; Weights to weigh things; Dou and dan[3] to measure capacity: The above eight standards are all for daily application. The sun, the moon, and all other stars follow their fixed cycles of motion; The alternating of seasons follows the same order; The emergence and fading out, and waxing and waning of things, and the mutual promotion and restraint between elements all follow definite laws: all these are rules governing heavenly (natural) existence. The surface of a piece of land might be higher or lower, but this does not conceal its topography; The soil might be fertile or lean, but it does not hide its appearance: These are features defining the earth. The sovereign and the ministers should do what is expected of their respective positions; Scholars be assigned official jobs that match their abilities; Public affairs managed impartially: These are principles guiding human activities. The right and the wrong, and the good and the evil each will have its due; Whether one is deviating from or adhering to the Tao can be observed and spotted; What is true or false can be judged by facts: Therefore, by sticking to those principles, the sovereign can be the model for all-under-heaven.

To use armed forces to break up an evil state as is due and as willed by Heaven is martial heroism (武功). But civil measures (文治) must follow to appease people before complete success can be achieved. Double efforts at non-military measures to bring order out of chaos will win the hearts of all people. Whereas an overlord who deserts the Tao of Heaven and human justice but perversely assumes the topmost position without a sense of guilt will not escape his doom. Those who remain on the receptive side are, however, always on guard against danger in times of safety and prepared for disaster before it falls. This is called the virtue of receptiveness. In contrast, those who holds onto the aggressive stance are not aware of the danger even when it is already befalling. When reputation matches one’s merits, it will last. But when one’s reputation is inflated, less and less sustained by facts, it is a moral failure, and reputation will turn into disgrace in the end. Heaping up treasures for one’s own exclusive pleasure begets resentment; Leading a voluptuous life begets troubles. If one keeps constructing hotbeds for resentment and sowing seeds for troubles, even sages would not be able to counsel him.