Chapter LXXV
(Chapter 75)

Ko Yuen Translation

The Injury of Greed

In such a state of insecurity it is better to ignore the question of living than to set store by it.

S. Mitchell Translation

When taxes are too high,
people go hungry.
When the government is too intrusive,
people lose their spirit.

Act for the people's benefit.
Trust them; leave them alone.

James Legge Translation
1.	The people suffer from famine because of the multitude of taxes consumed by their superiors. It is through this that they suffer famine.
2.	The people are difficult to govern because of the (excessive) agency of their superiors (in governing them). It is through this that they are difficult to govern.
3.	The people make light of dying because of the greatness of their labours in seeking for the means of living. It is this which makes them think light of dying. Thus it is that to leave the subject of living altogether out of view is better than to set a high value on it.

GNL not Lao Interpolation

Rebellion

When rulers take grain so that they may feast,
Their people become hungry;
When rulers take action to serve their own interests,
Their people become rebellious;
When rulers take lives so that their own lives are maintained,
Their people no longer fear death.

When people act without regard for their own lives
They overcome those who value only their own lives.

Tao Teh King
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Ko Yuen Commentary

These chapters 74 and 75 are an interpolation, describing the conditions resulting from neglect of the Tao. The last sentence is not to be taken as didactic, as though a counsel of despair. It is the climax of the lamentation.

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