Better go back and make a net than long for the fish by merely staring into the water.
(尹邦彦 译)
2 利天下者,天下启之;害天下者,天下闭之。——《六韬·发启》
If you benefit the people of the world, you will attain their support. If you harm the people of the world, you will face their opposition.
(聂送来 译)
3 君子之事上也,进思尽忠,退思补过。——《孝经·事君章》
In serving his sovereign the man of the talent and virtue considers how to discharge his duty faithfully while in office; when he retires, he considers how to make up for his own errors.
(刘瑞祥、林之鹤 译)
4 夫争天下者,必先争人。明大数者,得人;审小计者,失人。——《管子·霸言》
Whoever competes for the authority over the world should compete for the support of the people. The most sensible persons will win over the people. The sharp-witted but petty-minded ones will lose the support of the people.
(翟江月 译)
5 人欲见其所不见,视人所不窥;欲得其所不得,修人所不为。——《列子·仲尼》
If you want to see what you cannot see, you should watch with care what is neglected by others; if you want to get what is beyond your reach, you must do what others are unwilling to do.