【原文】古时候，圣王本厚民生，审知祸福之所生。是故慎小事微，违非索辩以根之。然则躁作、奸邪、伪诈之人，不敢试也。此礼正民之道也。《君臣下》

【汉解】圣明君主总是把提高人民生活作为根本，慎重了解祸福产生的原因。所以，对于微小的事情都十分谨慎，对于违法非法都详细辨别，并追究根底。这样，轻举妄动、奸邪和诈伪的人们就不敢尝试做坏事了。这正是规正人民的途径。

【英译】In ancient times, the sage kings treated the livelihood of the people as fundamental and carefully studied the causes of disaster and prosperity. For this reason, they treated minor details with care and distinguished right from wrong in order to get the root of matters. Hence people prone to reckless, evil, and deceitful behavior dared not attempt it. This is the way to institute propriety and rectify the people.