The 10 classic sayings in "The Book of Shang Jun" are insightful and penetrating and worth reading carefully!

1. When the people are weak, the country is strong; when the country is strong, the people are weak. Therefore, the affairs of a righteous state depend on the weak people.

The words come from "Shang Jun Shu·Weak People". If the people dare not go beyond the laws of the country, the country will become strong; if the people dare to go beyond the laws of the country, the country will become weak. Therefore, the primary task of governing a country is for the people to obey the laws.

2. In a country, all the border benefits belong to the army, and all the market benefits belong to the farmers.

The words come from "Shang Jun Shu·Wai Nei". Those who govern the country should give all the benefits of guarding the border to the soldiers, and give all the benefits of the border market to the people.

3. If the people are ignorant, they will have more than enough power but not enough knowledge; if the world is knowledgeable, they will have more than enough skill but not enough power.

The words come from "Shang Jun Shu·Kaisa". The people are stupid, and their strength will be insufficient. People in the world are smart, so they will have enough wisdom but not enough power.

4. When a sage makes a law, he must make it clear and easy to understand, have a correct name, and be understood by all simpletons;

The words come from "The Book of Shang Jun: Dingfen". When a sage makes a decree, he will make it simple and easy to understand, so that both fools and wise men can understand it.

5. To use the strong to govern the weak is to weaken; to use the weak to govern the strong is king.

The words come from "Shang Jun Shu·Weak People". Use the method of strong min to govern the weak people, so that the country will become weak. Use the means of weakening the people to govern and strengthen the people, so that you can achieve the cause of kings and hegemons.

6. If the people do not steal camps, they will have more strength; if they have more strength, the country will be strong.

The words come from "Shang Jun Shu·Agricultural War". If the people do not ask for certain things, the country will become stronger. When strength is strong, a country will become strong.