【原文】古者未有君臣上下之别，未有夫妇妃匹之合，兽处群居，以力相征。于是智者诈愚，强者凌弱，老幼孤独不得其所。《君臣下》

【汉解】古时没有君臣上下之分，也没有夫妻配偶的婚姻，人们象野兽一样共处而群居，以强力互相争夺，于是智者诈骗愚者，强者欺凌弱者，老、幼、孤、独的人们都是不得其所的。

【英译】In ancient times there were no distinctions between prince and minister or superior and inferior, nor did there exist the union of husband and wife or man and mate. People lived like beasts and dwelt together in herds, using their strength to attack one another. Consequently, the clever cheated the stupid, and the strong maltreated the weak. The old and young, orphaned and alone were thus unable to obtain the means to subsist.