齊桓公問於甯戚曰:「筦子今年老矣,為棄寡人而就世也。
Lord Huan of Qi consulted with Ning Qi, saying, “Guanzi56 is now advanced in years—he may perhaps abandon me and depart the world.
I fear our regulations will no longer be enforced, and many people will lose their occupations.
吾恐法令不行,人多失職,百姓疾怨,國多盜賊,吾何如而使姦邪不起,民足衣食乎?」
The people will suffer hardship and feel resentment, and the state will be afflicted with bandits.
What can I do to prevent scheming and dishonest people from appearing and to ensure that the people are well fed and clothed?