74,法制不议,则民不相私

【原文】法制不议,则民不相私。刑杀毋赦,则民不偷于为善。爵禄毋假。则下不乱其上。三者藏于官则为法,施于国则成俗,其余不彊而治矣。《法禁》

【汉解】法制不容私议,人们就不敢相互营私;刑杀不容宽赦,人们就不敢忽视为善;授爵赐禄的大权不假送于人,臣下就不会作乱于人君。这三事掌握在官府,就是“法”;推行到全国民众,就成其为俗。其他事情不用费力就可以安定国家了。

 【英译】If the legal system is not open to discussion, people will not unite to promote their self-interest. If there is no pardoning of punishments and executions, people will not take chances to do what they like. If the awarding of ranks and salaries is not delegated to others, subordinate officials will not rebel against their sovereign. When these three have been assimilated by officialdom, they will become the law. When they have been put into effect throughout the country, they will become a matter of accepted practice. Beyond this no effort will be required for good order to prevail.