75

The reason people are starving

is because their rulers eat up too much tax-grain.

That's why they starve.

The reason people are difficult to govern

is because their rulers always find reasons for meddlesome actions.

The reason why they become difficult to govern.

The reason the people are unconcerned about death

is because having to strive for life has made it burdensome.

That's why they're unconcerned about death.

Truly, one who does not strive for life is even wiser than one who reveres life.