Lun Yu – The Analects of Confucius

Requisites in government:– a conversation with Tsze-kung.
1. Tsze-kung asked about government. The Master said, "The requisites of government are that there be sufficiency of food, sufficiency of military equipment, and the confidence of the people in their ruler."
2. Tsze-kung said, "If it cannot be helped, and one of these must be dispensed with, which of the three should be foregone first?" "The military equipment," said the Master.
3. Tsze-kung again asked, "If it cannot be helped, and one of the remaining two must be dispensed with, which of them should be foregone?" The Master answered, "Part with the food. From of old, death has been the lot of an men; but if the people have no faith in their rulers, there is no standing for the state."

Legge XII.7.

Tzu-kung asked about government. The Master said, 'Give them enough food, give them enough arms, and the common people will have trust in you.' Tzu-kung said, 'If one had to give up one of these three, which should one give up first?' 'Give up arms.' Tzu-kung said, 'If one had to give up one of the remaining two, which should one give up first?' 'Give up food. Death has always been with us since the beginning of time, but when there is no trust, the common people will have nothing to stand on.'

Lau [12:7]

Tzeu koung interrogea Confucius sur l'art de gouverner. Le Maître répondit : « Celui qui gouverne doit avoir soin que les vivres ne manquent pas, que les forces militaires soient suffisantes, que le peuple lui donne sa confiance. » Tzeu koung dit : « S'il était absolument nécessaire de négliger une de ces trois choses, laquelle conviendrait-il de négliger ? – Les forces militaires », répondit Confucius. « Et s'il était absolument nécessaire d'en négliger encore une seconde, dit Tzeu koung, quelle serait-elle ? – Les vivres, répondit Confucius, car de tout temps les hommes ont été sujets à la mort, mais si le peuple n'a pas confiance en ceux qui le gouvernent, c'en est fait de lui. »

Couvreur XII.7.