A state’s constant aim is survival; hegemony and kingship are attainable on this basis. A person’s constant aim is life; wealth and nobility are attainable on this basis.
If one does not harm oneself through excessive desire, the state will not perish and the individual will not die. Hence the saying: “Contentment is true sufficiency.”
Note
This passage summarizes a core governance principle: true sufficiency lies in contentment and self‑preservation; by restraining excessive desire, states and individuals can survive and achieve higher goals such as hegemony and wealth.
Late Warring‑States Legalist philosopher. This passage is excerpted from Illustrating Laozi (Yu Lao), his commentary on the Dao De Jing. He links Daoist contentment to Legalist state survival and self‑preservation.
Survival as Fundamental Principle
For states, long‑term existence is primary; for individuals, life is primary. Hegemony, kingship and wealth are secondary achievements built on this foundation.
Contentment as Political Strategy
Contrasted with Zhi Bo and Duke of Yu‘s greed‑driven ruin, contentment prevents self‑destruction for rulers and states.
Dao‑Legalist Fusion
Daoist contentment is re‑defined as a pragmatic Legalist rule: restrain desire to ensure state and personal survival.
邦以存為常，霸王其可也。身以生為常，富貴其可也。不欲自害則邦不亡身不死，故曰：「知足之為足矣。」
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