Chapter 74: Not Fearing Death
Laozi asks: if people do not fear death, how can you frighten them with it? If they feared death, you could kill wrongdoers. But killing is for the executioner, not the ruler. Those who代替the executioner's role rarely escape injury.
📖 Definition
Chapter 74 asks: if people do not fear death, how frighten them with it? Killing is for the executioner, not the ruler. Those who代替the executioner rarely escape injury.
Source Text
Read the original alongside the English rendering
Original Chinese
民不畏死，奈何以死懼之？
若使民常畏死，而為奇者，吾得執而殺之，孰敢？
常有司殺者殺。
夫代司殺者殺，是謂代大匠斲。
夫代大匠斲者，希有不傷其手矣。
English Rendering
The people do not fear death — how can you frighten them with death?
If the people always feared death, and there were those who acted wrongly — I would catch and kill them.
Who would dare?
There is always one who executes kills.
Those who代替executive one to kill — this is called代替great carpenter.
Those who代替great carpenter — rarely do not injure their hands.
Not Fearing Death
民不畏死，奈何以死懼之 — “The people do not fear death — how can you frighten them with death?”
When life is unbearable, death has no terror. Rulers cannot frighten with death.
If They Feared Death
若使民常畏死 — “If the people always feared death.”
If the people feared death naturally, rulers could use death as deterrent.
Acting Wrongly
而為奇者 — “And there were those who acted wrongly.”
Those who act wrongly could be dealt with through death.
Who Would Dare
吾得執而殺之，孰敢 — “I would catch and kill them. Who would dare?”
If people feared death, killing wrongdoers would work.
The Executioner
常有司殺者殺 — “There is always one who executes kills.”
There is a natural executioner — the way of nature. This is not the ruler’s role.
##代替大匠
夫代司殺者殺，是謂代大匠斲 — “Those who代替executive one to kill — this is called代替great carpenter.”
代替the natural executioner is like代替a great carpenter. This is dangerous.
Injuring Hands
希有不傷其手矣 — “Rarely do not injure their hands.”
Those who代替the natural order will likely injure themselves.
Modern Application
We use death as threat. Chapter 74 suggests: let the natural order handle killing, or you will be injured.
Key Takeaways
- People do not fear death when life is unbearable
- Killing is for the executioner -代替the natural order is dangerous
- Those who代替will injure themselves
- Let nature handle what nature should handle
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Written by
Lee
Lee explains Chinese philosophy, strategy, and stories in plain English — for people who want ancient wisdom they can actually use. Based in China, writing for the world.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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