Chapter LX
(Chapter 60)

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Ko Yuen Translation

The Duty of Government
1. The government of a kingdom is like the cooking of fish1.
2. If the kingdom be ruled according to the Tao, the spirits of our ancestors will not manifest their Teh2.  These spirits have this Teh, but will not turn it against men.  It is able to hurt men; so also is the Wise King; but he doth not.
3. When these powers3 are in accord, their Good Will produceth the Teh, endowing the people therewith.

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S. Mitchell Translation
Governing a large country
is like frying a small fish.
You spoil it with too much poking.

Center your country in the Tao
and evil will have no power.
Not that it isn't there,
but you'll be able to step out of its way.

Give evil nothing to oppose
and it will disappear by itself.

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James Legge Translation
1. Governing a great state is like cooking small fish.
2. Let the kingdom be governed according to the Tao, and the manes of the departed will not manifest their spiritual energy.  It is not that those manes have not that spiritual energy, but it will not be employed to hurt men.  It is not that it could not hurt men, but neither does the ruling sage hurt them.
3. When these two do not injuriously affect each other, their good influences converge in the virtue (of the Tao).

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GNL not Lao Interpolation

Demons
When you use the Way to conquer the world,
Your demons will lose their power to harm.
It is not that they lose their power as such,
But that they will not harm others;
Because they will not harm others,
You will not harm others:
When neither you nor your demons can do harm,
You will be at peace with them.

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Ko Yuen Commentary
1. This means, it is the simplest possible operation.

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2. I.e., their Magick Powers, from indignation at the mischief wrought by their descendents.

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3. The spirits and the Wise King.

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