04道德经英译本85种-第479章
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an。 Therefore the Sage does not horde。 The more he helps others; the more he benefits himself the more he gives to others; the more he gets himself。 The Tao of heaven does one good but never does one harm; the Tao of the Sage acts but never contends。
78
The weakest things in the world can overmatch the strongest things in the world。
Nothing in the world can be compared to water for its weak and yielding nature; yet in attacking the hard and the strong; nothing proves better than it。 For there is no other alternative to it。
The weak can overcome the strong and the yielding can overcome the hard: This all the world knows but does not practise。
Therefore the Sage says:
He who sustains all the reproaches of the country can be master of the land;
He who sustains all the calamities of the country can be king of the world。
These are words of truth;
Though they seem paradoxical。
79
Return love for great hatred。
Otherwise; when a great hatred is reconciled; some of it will surely remain。
How can this end in goodness?
Therefore the Sage holds to the left half of an agreement; but does not exact what the other holder ought to do。
The virtuous resort to agreement。
The virtueless resort to exaction。
The Tao of heaven shows no partiality;
It abides always with good men。
80
Supposing here is a small state with few people。
Though there are various vessels I will not have them put in use。
I will make the people regard death as a grave matter and not go far away。
Though they have boats and carraiges they will not travel in them。
Though they have armour and weapons they will not show them。
I will let them restore the use of knotted cords (instead of writing)。
They will be satisfied with their food。
Delighted in their dress;
Comfortable in their dwellings;
Happy with their customs。
Though the neighbouring states are within sight
And their cocks' crowing and dogs' barking within hearing;
The people (of the small state) will not go there their whole lives。
81
He who knows does not speak;
He who speaks does not know。
He who is truthful is not showy;
He who is showy is not truthful。
He who is virtuous does not dispute。
He who disputes is not virtuous。
He who is learned is not wise。
He who is wise is not learned。
Therefore the Sage does not display his own merits。
English_Taplow_TTK
Das Tao Te King von Lao Tse
English by
Alan B。 Taplow; 1982
Vorwort/Foreword
PREFACE
Since the days of Lao Tzu and the Ancient Sages; the Tao Te Ching must be among the most translated and interpreted of books。 So; you might be perfectly rational to question the value of still another Tao Te Ching。 But 。 。 。 This is how it happened 。 。 。
At Big Sur; the California coastline rises sharply out of the ocean presenting an overpowering presence。 On an unusually warm and sunny November afternoon; a small group leisurely explores the rocks at water's edge 150 feet below the Big House at Esalen。 Slowly coming together; they sit talking and shortly find themselves gathered around a recently retired physician who is relating 'unusual' tales of his small town practice in the Northern reaches of California。
As part of this group; my attention becomes increasingly intense as he tells stories of diagnosis and treatment using a form of hypnosis。 Helping patients relive earlier periods of their lives and taking them into past lives he would discover the causes of otherwise unexplained physical and mental problems。 He then describes how he used the I Ching in treatment of patients who were indecisive about surgery or deeply upset about an unpredictable prognosis for themselves or a family member。 The doctor would introduce them to the Yarrow Stalks and help them consult the I Ching for guidance。 He recounts a number of uncanny successes resulting from the 'I Ching; which itself is so completely new to my experience。
The next day; at the Esalen book shelves; my eyes find themselves drawn to a copy of the I Ching ; and next to it the beautiful Gia…Fu Feng Jane English translation of the Tao Te Ching。 Buying them both; a new world begins to unfold … a world possessing unity; duality; synchronicity; virtue; energies … a world of Tao; Yin and Yang; of Te; Chi and Shen。 Now I find my Esalen visit extending to include Catherine Elber's loving work with the 19 movements of Tai Chi Chih ; and I'm pretty well hooked on a study and experience of the Tao。
The following June finds me at John Brzostoski's course in Taoism at the New School; where John suggests the Tao Te Ching as basic reading。 Finding The Gia…Fu Feng/Jane English translation physically too large for my pocket; a smaller size translation is procured。 Predictably; with two of anything existing; there needs exist 〃Comparison。〃 In comparing the two translations; it follows that there exists differentiation … in this instance satisfaction and dissatisfaction。 In reconciling the dissatisfaction; I find myself with three; four & finally eleven translations; all unsatisfactory in some respect。 My way to restore unity is to read them all and then create my own interpretation … a single interpretation which is totally satisfying to me。
This then; is what you will find on the following pages … my interpretation based upon reading direct translations。 Making no claim for its authenticity; scholarly content or literary style; its single merit is that at this moment it pleases me。 However; not yet attaining sagely enlightenment; my ego would be delighted to discover it was also pleasing to you。
Alan Taplow
Lawrenceville; N。J。
October; 1981。
Some Words
There being a number of Chinese words included repeatedly in the text representing ideas which cannot be succinctly translated; it seemed more appropriate to just use the original word。 Here; I'd like to lend some definition to these words。
All Things … All in and of creation … sometimes called the 〃Ten…Thousand Things〃。 If it exists in heaven or on earth; it is a part of All Things。
Ch'i … Energy; normally circulating energy; the body's life force; that which some would have flowing at and from various chakras。 Ch'i permits: artistic creativity to happen; until such time one becomes aware of it … then it shuts off。 When you're sick; somewhere in your body the Ch'i is restricted。
The Sage … The wise one; a wise and learned one。 The Sage is you the reader; as your natural intuitive self absorbs the Tao into your life and it begins to reflect its teachings。 More than likely; you will not find yourself consciously aware of this happening 。 。 。 rest assured; it is。
Te … Some call it Virtue … but Te is more than what most Westerners think of as virtue。 It has mystical powers … it is all that is powerful and right in the world。 Te is the manifestation of Tao in All Things。
Wu…Wei … Action through non…action。 Some would call it a Laissez Faire attitude。 A quietness; a unique passivity which magically acts to cause a change in events。
Yang and Yin … Yang is the creative force represented as heaven; active; top; bright; good in Western eyes; basically 〃uppers〃。 Yin is the receptive force represented as Earth; passive bottom; dark; evil; in Western eyes; basically 〃downers〃。 Yang is also associated with all thing male and Yin all things female。 While Western frequently attribute a sexual orientation as the prime characteristic of Yang and Yin; in Eastern thought it is just one of the many sets of opposing characteristics described as Yang or Yin。
Tao … Sorry; Folks … You're on your own。 You will soon know that the Tao; while ever present is beyond definition。
1
THE TAO THAT CAN BE TOLD
The true Tao escapes definition;
Likewise; Tao is unburdened by Name。
Heaven and Earth originated unburdened by Name;
However; Name serves well to create All Things。
Unburdened by desire; the essence of Tao unfolds。
With desire; its manifestations alone appear。
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