民不畏威，则大威至。无狎其所居，无厌其所生。夫唯不厌，是以不厌。是以圣人自知不自见，自爱不自贵。故去彼取此。
When the people lack a proper sense of awe, then some awful visitationwill descend upon them.
Do not constrict their living space;
Do not press down on their means of livelihood.
It is because you do not press down on them that they will not wearyof the burden.
Hence the sage knows himself but does not display himself,
Loves himself but does not exalt himself.
Therefore he discards the one and takes the other.
Never mind if the people are not intimidated by your authority. A Mightier Authority will deal with them in the end. Do not narrow their dwelling or harass their lives; and for the very reason that you do not harass them, they will cease to turn from you. Therefore the Sage knows himself but does not show himself. Knows his own value, but does not put himself on high. Truly, he rejects that but takes this”.
When the people do not fear what they ought to fear, that which is their great dread will come on them. Let them not thoughtlessly indulge themselves in their ordinary life; let them not act as if weary of what that life depends on. It is by avoiding such indulgence that such weariness does not arise. Therefore the sage knows (these things) of himself, but does not parade (his knowledge); loves, but does not (appear to set a) value on, himself. And thus he puts the latter alternative away and makes choice of the former.