Where unfailingly fertile fields, worthy men and wealthy merchants come together—that is a country! §
A land coveted for its vast wealth, free from calamities and yielding in abundance is indeed a country.§
Call that a nation which bears every burden that befalls it, yet pays in full all tariffs owed to the king.§
Free of famine, endless epidemics and ravaging foes—now that is a flourishing country.§
Proliferating factions, ruinous subversives and murderous gangs harassing the king—a real country is free from all these.§
An incomparable state is one never devastated; yet if devastated, it would not diminish, but prosper.§
Rain waters, underground waters and rivers shed from well-situated mountains, plus strong fortresses, are features of a fine country. §
Five ornaments adorn a country: good health, abundant harvests, wealth, happiness and safety from invasions. §
A land where prosperity comes easily deserves the name country, not one where wealth entails laborious toil.§
Even if a country acquires all these blessings, it is worth nothing if it lacks harmony between the ruler and the ruled.§