夫此三者各有所施，而化之為貴矣。
With regard to punishment, we may note that this method is not esteemed by true kings.
For this reason, sage rulers place teaching through virtuous example foremost and regard punishment as secondary.
夫化之不變，而後威之，威之不變，而後脅之，脅之不變，而後刑之。
They establish a consciousness of honor and shame, while making prohibitions and precautions clear.
They venerate the principles of propriety and righteousness so as to make them evident to all and look with disdain upon money and commercial profit so as to effect a change in people’s minds.
夫至於刑者，則非王者之所貴也。
They maintain good relations with neighboring states and put their internal affairs in good order.
They put to rights all irregularities in the inner palace and establish a uniform code governing all relations with consorts and concubines.
是以聖王先德教而後刑罰，立榮恥而明防禁，崇禮義之節以示之，賤貨利之弊以變之，修近理內，政橛機之禮，壹妃匹之際，則下莫不慕義禮之榮，而惡貪亂之恥，其所由致之者，化使然也。
In this way all the subjects of a state will come to love the honor that accrues to righteousness and detest the disgrace that arises from greed and license.
What causes this to come about is the transformative mode of rule.