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第40章

04道德经英译本85种-第40章

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  The TAO of men does not so。 It takes away from what is already deficient in order to bestow on those who have a superfluity。 Who is able to devote his surplus to the needs of others?桹nly he who is possessed of TAO。

  Thus it is that the Sage acts; yet does not plume himself; achieves works of merit; yet does not hold to them。 He has no wish to make a display of his worthiness。

  78

  There is nothing under Heaven that is weaker or softer than water; yet those who attack what is hard and strong are not aware that it is 'the soft and weak' that can overcome it。'Thus' they do not see that; their task is an easy one。

  The fact that weakness overcomes strength; that the soft overcomes the hard; is unknown to none; yet they cannot act upon it。

  Therefore the Sage says: He who bears the reproach of the State may be called lord of the nation's altars; he who bears the calamities of the State may be called the King of the world。 These are true words; though apparently at variance 'with reason'; i。e。; paradoxical。

  79

  When peace is made after a great quarrel; there is always a feeling of resentment left behind。 How can this be regarded as right?

  Wherefore the Sage; unwilling to shift responsibility upon others; keeps; on his left hand; an officer to make record 'of his obligations'。 The virtuous man keeps a record of his compacts; the unprincipled man repudiates 'or destroys' them。

  The TAO of Heaven has no favourites; its practice is simply to reward the virtuous。

  80

  With a small State; sparsely populated; supposing that I had weapons for a thousand men; I would not use them。 I would rather teach my subjects to think seriously of death; and not to emigrate to a distance。 Then; though they might have ships and chariots; nobody would mount them; though they might have armour and weapons; nobody would set them in array。 I would make them return to the use of the quipu; render their food toothsome; beautify their clothes 'by cultivating the silkworm'; live tranquilly at home; be happy in their domestic usages; keep watch with neighbouring states for their mutual safety; and let the crowing of cocks and barking of dogs be heard by one another 'from their numbers and proximity'。 Thus the people would die of old age without ever coming into 'hostile' collision with each other。

  81

  Faithful words are not pleasant。 Pleasant; or specious; words are not faithful。

  The virtuous do not bandy arguments。 Those who bandy arguments are not virtuous。 The wise do not seek learning 'from outside'。 Those who do so are not wise。

  The Sage does not lay up hidden stores 'of TAO'; The more he employs it on behalf of others the more he has for himself。 The more he imparts to others; the more his own stores increase。

  The TAO of Heaven confers benefit; and injures not。 The TAO of the Sage acts; and does not strive。  




 

  
English_Beck_TTK
  Das Tao Te King von Lao Tse
  English interpolation by
  Sanderson Beck; 1996

  1

  The Way that can be described is not the absolute Way;
  the name that can be given is not the absolute name。
  Nameless it is the source of heaven and earth;
  named it is the mother of all things。

  Whoever is desireless; sees the essence of life。
  Whoever desires; sees its manifestations。
  These two are the same;
  but what is produced has names。
  They both may be called the cosmic mystery:
  from the cosmic to the mystical
  is the door to the essence of all life。

  2

  When the people of the world all know beauty as beauty;
  there arises the recognition of ugliness。
  When they all know the good as good;
  there arises the recognition of bad。

  Therefore being and non…being produce each other;
  difficult and easy complete each other;
  long and short contrast each other;
  high and low distinguish each other;
  sound and voice harmonize with each other;
  beginning and end follow each other。

  Therefore the wise manage affairs without interfering
  and teach beyond the words。

  All things rise; and they do not turn away from them。
  They give them life; but do not take possession of them。
  They act; but do not rely on their own ability。
  They accomplish; but claim no credit。
  Because they claim no credit;
  their accomplishment remains with them。

  3

  Do not exalt the worthy;
  so that people will not compete。
  Do not value rare treasure;
  so that people will not steal。
  Do not display objects of desire;
  so that people's hearts will not be disturbed。

  Therefore the wise lead by keeping
  their hearts pure; their bellies full;
  their ambitions weak; and their bones strong;
  so that the people may be purified
  of their thoughts and desires;
  and the cunning ones will not interfere。
  By acting without interfering; all may live in peace。

  4

  The Way is infinite; its use is never exhausted。
  It is bottomless; like the fountainhead of all things。
  It smoothes its roughness; it unties its tangles。
  It softens its light; it calms its turmoil。
  Deep and still; ever present。
  I do not know its source。
  It seems to have existed before the Lord。

  5

  Nature is not humane。
  It treats all things like sacrificial objects。
  The wise are not humane。
  They regard people like sacrificial objects。

  How the universe is like a bellows!
  While empty; it is never exhausted。
  The more it is worked; the more it produces。
  Much talk brings exhaustion。
  It is better to keep to the center。

  6

  The spirit of the valley never dies。
  It is called the mystical female。
  The door of the mystical female
  is the root of heaven and earth。
  It seems to be continuously within us。
  Use it; and it will never fail。

  7

  Heaven is eternal; and the earth is very old。
  They can be eternal and long lasting;
  because they do not exist for themselves;
  and for this reason can long endure。

  Therefore the wise put themselves last;
  but find themselves foremost。
  They are indifferent to themselves;
  and yet they always remain。
  Is it not because they do not live for themselves
  that they find themselves fulfilled?

  8

  The best are like water。
  Water benefits all things and does not compete with them。
  It flows to the lowest level。
  In this it comes near to the Way。

  In their dwellings; they love the earth。
  In their hearts; they love what is profound。
  In their friendship; they love humanity。
  In their words; they love sincerity。
  In government; they love peace。
  In business; they love ability。
  In their actions; they love timeliness。
  It is because they do not compete
  that there is no resentment。

  9

  Stretch a bow to the very full;
  and you will wish you had stopped in time。
  Temper a sword…edge to its very sharpest;
  and the edge will not last long。

  When gold and jade fill your hall;
  you will not be able to keep them safe。
  To be proud with honor and wealth
  is to cause one's own downfall。
  Withdraw as soon as your work is done。
  Such is heaven's way。

  10

  Can you embrace the One with your soul;
  and never depart from the Way?
  Can you concentrate your vital force
  to achieve the gentleness of a new…born baby?
  Can you cleanse and purify your mystic vision
  until it is clear?
  Can you love the people and govern the state
  without interfering?
  Can you play the role of the female
  in opening and closing the doors of heaven?
  Can you understand all and penetrate all
  without using the mind?

  To give birth and to nourish;
  to give birth without taking possession;
  to act without obligation;
  to lead without dominating…
  this is mystical power。

  11

  Thirty spokes are united around the hub of a wheel;
  but the usefulness of the wheel
  depends on the space where nothing exists。
  Clay is molded into a vessel;
  but the use

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