04道德经英译本85种-第304章
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rvive by force and violence。
Because the Tao is all about balance; the sage; seeking to emulate nature; will seek the same balance through moderation。 He or she will elminate from his or her life anything that is extreme or intemperate。 The sage will also avoid any excess or wasteful extravagance。 And lastly; the sage will let go of thoughts and behaviors that are arrogant or ego…driven。
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The one who uses the Tao to advise the ruler
Does not dominate the world with soldiers
Such methods tend to be returned
The place where the troops camp
Thistles and thorns grow
Following the great army
There must be an inauspicious year
A good commander achieves result; then stops
And does not dare reaching for domination
Achieves result but does not brag
Achieves result but does not flaunt
Achieves result but is not arrogant
Achieves result but only out of necessity
Achieves result but does not dominate
Things become strong and then get old
This is called contrary to the Tao
That which is contrary to the Tao soon ends
A minister who follows the Tao; and applies the Tao in advising the sovereign ruler; will never attempt to dominate the world with military power。 Those who are in tune with the Tao understand that violence begets more violence。 What goes around comes around。 Those who resort to methods of domination tend to have such methods turn back against them。 Acts of aggression will inevitably cause retaliation and counterattack。
The use of military power is; by its very nature; an extremely negative thing to do。 The thistles and thorns that flourish where the troops strike camp is symbolic of this negativity。 When a great army passes the land; an ominous year of famine invariably follows in its wake。
Military leaders who really understand the use of force will never do any more than is necessary to achieve a particular result。 Such leaders will not reach beyond the goal for more self…glorifying conquests。 They accomplish the mission without bragging or flaunting。 Success in completing the objective does not make them arrogant or over…confident。 This is because they use force only when they have no other choice。 They know that military power is the last resort; and not a tool with which to dominate others。
In nature; we observe that when things grow excessively strong; they will quickly age and weaken。 We say that this is not in accordance with the unhurried nature of Tao。 Things that do not follow the natural progression of Tao will soon come to an end。 The same principle applies to the use of military power as well。
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A strong military; a tool of misfortune
All things detest it
Therefore; those who possess the Tao avoid it
Honorable gentlemen; while at home; value the left
When deploying the military; value the right
The military is a tool of misfortune
Not the tool of honorable gentlemen
When using it out of necessity
Calm detachment should be above all
Victorious but without glory
Those who glorify
Are delighting in the killing
Those who delight in killing
Cannot achieve their ambitions upon the world
Auspicious events favor the left
Inauspicious events favor the right
The lieutenant general is positioned to the left
The major general is positioned to the right
We say that they are treated as if in a funeral
The multitude who have been killed
Should be mourned with sadness
Victory in war should be treated as a funeral
Strong military power isn't something to be glorified。 We should recognize it as an inauspicious instrument; the use of which inevitably brings misfortunes and calamities。
Violence and aggression are inextricably associated with the military。 Thus; it is universally seen as extremely negative。 Recognizing this; those who are on the path of Tao distance themselves from it。
During peacetime; honorable individuals value the left in day…to…day living。 The left in this case symbolizes harmony。
During wartime; honorable individuals value the right in the utilization of the military。 The right in this case symbolizes force。
Because the military is an ominous instrument of destruction; honorable individuals cannot see it as a tool that they identify with。 It is the last resort; to be used only when absolutely necessary; when there is no other choice。
When forced to use the military; honorable individuals will do so with calmness above all; and detachment from emotional turmoil。 They do not fight out of anger or hatred; and when they achieve victory; they do not consider it glorious。 To them; there can be no possible glory in taking lives。
Those who do glorify war tend to be the ones who take delight in killing。 Such people may think they have what it takes to conquer the world; but history shows they invariably fail to achieve their ambitions。 They may dominate by force but never win the people's hearts。
Auspicious events favor the left (symbolizing harmony) while inauspicious events favor the right (symbolizing force)。 Thus; the lieutenant general; responsible for the peacetime training of the military organization; is situated to the left of the emperor。 The major general; responsible for leading attacks; is stationed to the right。
Because of their involvement with the military; both generals are regarded by Tao cultivators as if they are fixtures in a funeral。
Because many lives are inevitably lost in battle; we understand the grief of those who mourn the dead; no matter which side they belong to。
The military parade that follows victory may just as well be a funeral procession; no matter which side happens to be the victor。
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The Tao; eternally nameless
Its simplicity; although imperceptible
Cannot be treated by the world as subservient
If a sovereign can hold on to it
All will follow by themselves
The heaven and earth; together harmoniously
Will rain sweet dew
People won't need to force it; it will adjust by itself
In the beginning of creation; there were names
Names came to exist everywhere
One should know when to stop
Knowing when to stop; thus avoiding danger
The existence of the Tao in the world
Is like streams in the valley into rivers and the ocean
Rough Draft of notes
The Tao is always nameless。
And even though a sapling might be small
No one can make it be his subject。
If rulers could embody this principle
The myriad things would follow on their own。
Heaven and Earth would be in perfect accord
And rain sweet dew。
People; unable to deal with It on its own terms
Make adjustments;
And so you have the beginning of division into names。
Since there are already plenty of names
You should know where to stop。
Knowing where to stop; you can avoid danger。
The Tao's existence in the world
Is like valley streams running into the rivers and seas。
Tao… the Eternally Nameless。
Though primordial simplicity is infinitesimal; none dare make it a public servant。
Were princes and monarchs able to maintain it; all creation would spontaneously submit。
Heaven and earth harmonized; there would be an abundance of nourishing agencies; the people unbidden; would cooperate of their own accord。
Names arose when differentiation commenced; once there were names it became
important to know where to stop。 This being known; danger ceased。
The Tao spread throughout the world; may be compared to mountain rivulets and streams flowing toward the sea。
33
Those who understand others are intelligent
Those who understand themselves are enlightened
Those who overcome others have strength
Those who overcome themselves are powerful
Those who know contentment are wealthy
Those who proceed vigorously have willpower
Those who do not lose their base endure
Those who die but do not perish have longevity
The one who understands other people is merely knowledgeable or intelligent; the one who understands oneself is truly wise and enlightened。 W