Upload
others
View
20
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Page 1
Dao De Qing
道德经 Laozi 老子
Original Chinese
with English translation by Stephen Mitchell
Page 2
Page 3
Zen Instructional Series
Page 4
Dao De Qing 道德经
by Laozi 老子
Original Chinese
with English translation by Stephen Mitchell
Page 5
All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2005
Before Thought Publications
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording,
taping or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission
in writing from the publisher.
Published by Before Thought Publications
Huntington Beach, CA
Printed in the United States of America
Page 6
Dedication I dedicate this book to Stephen Mitchell who selflessly pioneered the way of Korean Zen in America, then dedicated his life to expanding that understanding to include all sources of spiritual inquiry.
Page 7
Contents Dedication .................................................... 6
Contents ...................................................... 7 第 一 章 ........................................................................................................ 13
One .............................................................................................................. 14
第 二 章 ........................................................................................................ 15
Two .............................................................................................................. 16
第 三 章 ........................................................................................................ 17
Three ........................................................................................................... 18
第 四 章 ........................................................................................................ 19
Four ............................................................................................................. 20
第 五 章 ........................................................................................................ 21
Five .............................................................................................................. 22
第 六 章 ........................................................................................................ 23
Six ................................................................................................................ 24
第 七 章 ........................................................................................................ 25
Seven ........................................................................................................... 26
第 八 章 ........................................................................................................ 27
Eight ............................................................................................................ 28
第 九 章 ........................................................................................................ 29
Nine ............................................................................................................. 30
第 十 章 ........................................................................................................ 31
Ten ............................................................................................................... 32
第 十 一 章 ................................................................................................... 33
Eleven .......................................................................................................... 34
第 十 二 章 ................................................................................................... 35
Twelve ......................................................................................................... 36
第 十 三 章 ................................................................................................... 37
Thirteen....................................................................................................... 38
第 十 四 章 ................................................................................................... 39
Fourteen ...................................................................................................... 40
第 十 五 章 ................................................................................................... 41
Fifteen ......................................................................................................... 42
第 十 六 章 ................................................................................................... 43
Sixteen ......................................................................................................... 44
第 十 七 章 ................................................................................................... 45
Page 8
Seventeen .................................................................................................... 46
第 十 八 章 ................................................................................................... 47
Eighteen ...................................................................................................... 48
第 十 九 章 ................................................................................................... 49
Nineteen ...................................................................................................... 50
第 二 十 章 ................................................................................................... 51
Twenty ........................................................................................................ 52
第 二 十 一 章 .............................................................................................. 53
Twenty One ................................................................................................. 54
第 二 十 二 章 .............................................................................................. 55
Twenty Two ................................................................................................ 56
第 二 十 三 章 .............................................................................................. 57
Twenty Three ............................................................................................. 58
第 二 十 四 章 .............................................................................................. 59
Twenty Four ............................................................................................... 60
第 二 十 五 章 .............................................................................................. 61
Twenty Five ................................................................................................ 62
第 二 十 六 章 .............................................................................................. 63
Twenty Six .................................................................................................. 64
第 二 十 七 章 .............................................................................................. 65
Twenty Seven ............................................................................................. 66
第 二 十 八 章 .............................................................................................. 67
Twenty Eight ............................................................................................... 68
第 二 十 九 章 .............................................................................................. 69
Twenty Nine ............................................................................................... 70
第 三 十 章 ................................................................................................... 71
Thirty ........................................................................................................... 72
第 三 十 一 章 .............................................................................................. 73
Thirty One ................................................................................................... 74
第 三 十 二 章 .............................................................................................. 75
Thirty Two .................................................................................................. 76
第 三 十 三 章 .............................................................................................. 77
Thirty Three ................................................................................................ 78
第 三 十 四 章 .............................................................................................. 79
Thirty Four .................................................................................................. 80
第 三 十 五 章 .............................................................................................. 81
Page 9
Thirty Five ................................................................................................... 82
第 三 十 六 章 .............................................................................................. 83
Thirty Six ..................................................................................................... 84
第 三 十 七 章 .............................................................................................. 85
Thirty Seven ................................................................................................ 86
第 三 十 八 章 .............................................................................................. 87
Thirty Eight ................................................................................................. 88
第 三 十 九 章 .............................................................................................. 89
第 四 十 章 ................................................................................................... 91
第 四 十 一 章 .............................................................................................. 93
Forty One .................................................................................................... 94
第 四 十 二 章 .............................................................................................. 95
Forty Two .................................................................................................... 96
第 四 十 三 章 .............................................................................................. 97
Forty Three ................................................................................................. 98
第 四 十 四 章 .............................................................................................. 99
Forty Four ................................................................................................. 100
第 四 十 五 章 ............................................................................................. 101
Forty Five .................................................................................................. 102
第 四 十 六 章 ............................................................................................ 103
Forty Six .................................................................................................... 104
第 四 十 七 章 ............................................................................................ 105
Forty Seven ............................................................................................... 106
第 四 十 八 章 ............................................................................................ 107
Forty Eight ................................................................................................ 108
第 四 十 九 章 ............................................................................................ 109
Forty Nine .................................................................................................. 110
第 五 十 章 .................................................................................................. 111
Fifty ............................................................................................................ 112
第 五 十 一 章 ............................................................................................. 113
Fifty One ..................................................................................................... 114
第 五 十 二 章 ............................................................................................. 115
Fifty Two .................................................................................................... 116
第 五 十 三 章 ............................................................................................. 117
Fifty Three.................................................................................................. 118
第 五 十 四 章 ............................................................................................. 119
Page 10
Fifty Four................................................................................................... 120
第 五 十 五 章 ............................................................................................. 121
Fifty Five ................................................................................................... 122
第 五 十 六 章 ............................................................................................ 123
Fifty Six ...................................................................................................... 124
第 五 十 七 章 ............................................................................................ 125
Fifty Seven................................................................................................. 126
第 五 十 八 章 ............................................................................................ 127
Fifty Eight .................................................................................................. 128
第 五 十 九 章 ............................................................................................ 129
Fifty Nine ................................................................................................... 130
第 六 十 章 .................................................................................................. 131
Sixty ........................................................................................................... 132
第 六 十 一 章 ............................................................................................ 133
Sixty One ................................................................................................... 134
第 六 十 二 章 ............................................................................................ 135
Sixty Two .................................................................................................. 136
第 六 十 三 章 ............................................................................................ 137
Sixty Three ................................................................................................ 138
第 六 十 四 章 ............................................................................................ 139
Sixty Four .................................................................................................. 140
第 六 十 五 章 ............................................................................................. 141
Sixty Five ................................................................................................... 142
第 六 十 六 章 ............................................................................................ 143
Sixty Six ..................................................................................................... 144
第 六 十 七 章 ............................................................................................ 145
Sixty Seven ................................................................................................ 146
第 六 十 八 章 ............................................................................................ 147
Sixty Eight ................................................................................................. 148
第 六 十 九 章 ............................................................................................ 149
Sixty Nine .................................................................................................. 150
第 七 十 章 .................................................................................................. 151
Seventy ...................................................................................................... 152
第 七 十 一 章 ............................................................................................ 153
Seventy One .............................................................................................. 154
第 七 十 二 章 ............................................................................................ 155
Page 11
Seventy Two ............................................................................................. 156
第 七 十 三 章 ............................................................................................ 157
Seventy Three ........................................................................................... 158
第 七 十 四 章 ............................................................................................ 159
Seventy Four ............................................................................................. 160
第 七 十 五 章 ............................................................................................. 161
Seventy Five .............................................................................................. 162
第 七 十 六 章 ............................................................................................ 163
Seventy Six ................................................................................................ 164
第 七 十 七 章 ............................................................................................ 165
Seventy Seven ........................................................................................... 166
第 七 十 八 章 ............................................................................................ 167
Seventy Eight ............................................................................................ 168
第 七 十 九 章 ............................................................................................ 169
Seventy Nine ............................................................................................. 170
第 八 十 章 .................................................................................................. 171
Eighty ........................................................................................................ 172
第 八 十 一 章 ............................................................................................ 173
Eighty One ................................................................................................. 174
Page 12
Page 13
第 一 章
道 可 道 ,
非 常 道 。
名 可 名 ,
非 常 名 。
无 名 天 地 之 始 ﹔
有 名 万 物 之 母 。
故 常 无 ,
欲 以 观 其 妙 ﹔
常 有 ,
欲 以 观 其 徼 。
此 两 者 ,
同 出 而 异 名 ,
同 谓 之 玄 。
玄 之 又 玄 ,
众 妙 之 门 。
Page 14
One
The Dao that can be told
is not the eternal Dao
The name that can be named
is not the eternal Name.
The unnamable is the eternally real.
Naming is the origin
of all particular things.
Free from desire, you realize the mystery.
Caught in desire, you see only the manifestations.
Yet mystery and manifestations
arise from the same source.
This source is called darkness.
Darkness within darkness.
The gateway to all understanding.
Page 15
第 二 章
天 下 皆 知 美 之 为 美 ,
斯 恶 已 。
皆 知 善 之 为 善 ,
斯 不 善 已 。
有 无 相 生 ,
难 易 相 成 ,
长 短 相 形 ,
高 下 相 盈 ,
音 声 相 和 ,
前 后 相 随 。
恒 也 。
是 以 圣 人 处 无 为 之 事 ,
行 不 言 之 教 ﹔
万 物 作 而 弗 始 ,
生 而 弗 有 ,
为 而 弗 恃 ,
功 成 而 不 居 。
夫 唯 弗 居 ,
是 以 不 去 。
Page 16
Two
When people see some things as beautiful,
other things become ugly.
When people see some things as good,
other things become bad.
Being and non-being create each other.
Difficult and easy support each other.
Long and short define each other.
High and low depend on each other.
Before and after follow each other.
Therefore the Master
acts without doing anything
and teaches without saying anything.
Things arise and she lets them come;
things disappear and she lets them go.
She has but doesn't possess,
acts but doesn't expect.
When her work is done, she forgets it.
That is why it lasts forever.
Page 17
第 三 章 不 尚 贤 ,
使 民 不 争
不 贵 难 得 之 货 ,
使 民 不 为 盗 ﹔
不 见 可 欲 ,
使 民 心 不 乱 。
是 以 圣 人 之 治 ,
虚 其 心 ,
实 其 腹 ,
弱 其 志 ,
强 其 骨 。
常 使 民 无 知 无 欲 。
使 夫 智 者 不 敢 为 也 。
为 无 为 ,
则 无 不 治 。
Page 18
Three
If you over esteem great men,
people become powerless.
If you overvalue possessions,
people begin to steal.
The Master leads
by emptying people's minds
and filling their cores,
by weakening their ambition
and toughening their resolve.
He helps people lose everything
they know, everything they desire,
and creates confusion
in those who think that they know.
Practice not-doing,
and everything will fall into place.
Page 19
第 四 章 道 冲 ,
而 用 之 或 不 盈 。
渊 兮 ,
似 万 物 之 宗 ﹔ 湛 兮 ,
似 或 存 。
吾 不 知 谁 之 子 ,
象 帝 之 先 。
Page 20
Four The Dao is like a well:
used but never used up.
It is like the eternal void:
filled with infinite possibilities.
It is hidden but always present.
I do not know who gave birth to it.
It is older than God.
Page 21
第 五 章
天 地 不 仁 ,
以 万 物 为 刍 狗 ﹔
圣 人 不 仁 ,
以 百 姓 为 刍 狗 。
天 地 之 间 ,
其 犹 橐 钥 乎 。
虚 而 不 屈 ,
动 而 愈 出 。
多 言 数 穷 ,
不 如 守 中 。
Page 22
Five The Dao doesn't take sides;
it gives birth to both good and evil.
The Master doesn't take sides;
she welcomes both saints and sinners.
The Dao is like a bellows:
it is empty yet infinitely capable.
The more you use it, the more it produces;
the more you talk of it, the less you understand.
Hold on to the center.
Page 23
第 六 章
谷 神 不 死 ,
是 谓 玄 牝 。
玄 牝 之 门 ,
是 谓 天 地 根 。
帛系 若 存 ,
用 之 不 勤 。
Page 24
Six The Dao is called the Great Mother:
empty yet inexhaustible,
it gives birth to infinite worlds.
It is always present within you.
You can use it any way you want.
Page 25
第 七 章
天 长 地 久 。
天 地 所 以 能 长 且 久 者 ,
以 其 不 自 生 ,
故 能 长 生 。
是 以 圣 人 后 其 身 而 身 先 ﹔
外 其 身 而 身 存 。
非 以 其 无 私 邪 。
故 能 成 其 私 。
Page 26
Seven The Dao is infinite, eternal.
Why is it eternal?
It was never born;
thus it can never die.
Why is it infinite?
It has no desires for itself;
thus it is present for all beings.
The Master stays behind;
that is why she is ahead.
She is detached from all things;
that is why she is one with them.
Because she has let go of herself,
she is perfectly fulfilled.
Page 27
第 八 章
上 善 若 水 。
水 善 利 万 物 而 不 争 ,
处 众 人 之 所 恶 ,
故 几 于 道 。
居 善 地 ,
心 善 渊 ,
与 善 仁 ,
言 善 信 ,
政 善 治 ,
事 善 能 ,
动 善 时 。
夫 唯 不 争 ,
故 无 尤 。
Page 28
Eight The supreme good is like water,
which nourishes all things without trying to.
It is content with the low places that people disdain.
Thus it is like the Dao.
In dwelling, live close to the ground.
In thinking, keep to the simple.
In conflict, be fair and generous.
In governing, do not try to control.
In work, do what you enjoy.
In family life, be completely present.
When you are content to be simply yourself
and do not compare or compete,
everybody will respect you.
Page 29
第 九 章
持 而 盈 之 ,
不 如 其 已 ﹔
揣 而 锐 之 ,
不 可 长 保 。
金 玉 满 堂 ,
莫 之 能 守 ﹔
富 贵 而 骄 ,
自 遗 其 咎 。
功 遂 身 退 ,
天 之 道 也 。
Page 30
Nine Fill your bowl to the brim
and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench.
Care about people's approval
and you will be their prisoner.
Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serenity.
Page 31
第 十 章
载 营 魄 抱 一 ,
能 无 离 乎 。
专 气 致 柔 ,
能 如 婴 儿 乎 。
涤 除 玄 鉴 ,
能 如 疵 乎 。
爱 国 治 民 ,
能 无 为 乎 。
天 门 开 阖 ,
能 为 雌 乎 。
明 白 四 达 ,
能 无 知 乎 。
Page 32
Ten
Can you coax your mind from its wandering
and keep to the original oneness?
Can you let your body become
supple as a newborn child's?
Can you cleanse your inner vision
until you see nothing but the light?
Can you love people and lead them
without imposing your will?
Can you deal with the most vital matters
by letting events take their course?
Can you step back from you own mind
and thus understand all things?
Giving birth and nourishing,
having without possessing,
acting with no expectations,
leading and not trying to control:
this is the supreme virtue.
Page 33
第 十 一 章
三 十 辐 ,
共 一 毂 ,
当 其 无 ,
有 车 之 用 。
埏 埴 以 为 器 ,
当 其 无 ,
有 器 之 用 。
凿 户 牖 以 为 室 ,
当 其 无 ,
有 室 之 用 。
故 有 之 以 为 利 ,
无 之 以 为 用 。
Page 34
Eleven
We join spokes together in a wheel,
but it is the center hole
that makes the wagon move.
We shape clay into a pot,
but it is the emptiness inside
that holds whatever we want.
We hammer wood for a house,
but it is the inner space
that makes it livable.
We work with being,
but non-being is what we use.
Page 35
第 十 二 章
五 色 令 人 目 盲 ﹔
五 音 令 人 耳 聋 ﹔
五 味 令 人 口 爽 ﹔
驰 骋 畋 猎 ,
令 人 心 发 狂 ﹔
难 得 之 货 ,
令 人 行 妨 。
是 以 圣 人 为 腹 不 为 目 ,
故 去 彼 取 此 。
Page 36
Twelve
Colors blind the eye.
Sounds deafen the ear.
Flavors numb the taste.
Thoughts weaken the mind.
Desires wither the heart.
The Master observes the world
but trusts his inner vision.
He allows things to come and go.
His heart is open as the sky.
Page 37
第 十 三 章
宠 辱 若 惊 ,
贵 大 患 若 身 。 何 谓 宠 辱 若 惊 。
宠 为 下 ,
得 之 若 惊 ,
失 之 若 惊 ,
是 谓 宠 辱 若 惊 。
何 谓 贵 大 患 若 身 。
吾 所 以 有 大 患 者 ,
为 吾 有 身 ,
及 吾 无 身 ,
吾 有 何 患 。 故 贵 以 身 为 天 下 ,
若 可 寄 天 下 ﹔
爱 以 身 为 天 下 ,
若 可 托 天 下 。
Page 38
Thirteen Success is as dangerous as failure.
Hope is as hollow as fear.
What does it mean that success is a dangerous as failure?
Whether you go up the ladder or down it,
you position is shaky.
When you stand with your two feet on the ground,
you will always keep your balance.
What does it mean that hope is as hollow as fear?
Hope and fear are both phantoms
that arise from thinking of the self.
When we do not see the self as self,
what do we have to fear?
See the world as your self.
Have faith in the way things are.
Love the world as your self;
then you can care for all things.
Page 39
第 十 四 章
视 之 不 见 , 名 曰 夷 ﹔
听 之 不 闻 , 名 曰 希 ﹔
搏 之 不 得 , 名 曰 微 。
此 三 者 不 可 致 诘 , 故 混 而 为 一 。
其 上 不 皦 , 其 下 不 昧 。
绳 绳 兮 不 可 名 , 复 归 于 物 。
是 谓 无 状 之 状 , 无 物 之 象 , 是 谓 惚 恍 。
迎 之 不 见 其 首 , 随 之 不 见 其 后 。
执 古 之 道 , 以 御 今 之 有 。
能 知 古 始 , 是 谓 道 纪 。
Page 40
Fourteen Look and it can't be seen.
Listen and it can't be heard.
Reach and it can't be grasped.
Above, it isn't bright.
Below, it isn't dark.
Seamless, unnamable,
it returns to the realm of nothing.
Form that includes all forms,
image without an image,
subtle, beyond all conception.
Approach it and there is no beginning;
follow it and there is no end.
You can't know it, but you can be it,
at ease in your own life.
Just realize where you come from:
this is the essence of wisdom.
Page 41
第 十 五 章
古 之 善 为 道 者 , 微 妙 玄 通 , 深 不 可 识 。
夫 唯 不 可 识 , 故 强 为 之 容 :
豫 兮 若 冬 涉 川 ﹔
犹 兮 若 畏 四 邻 ﹔
俨 兮 其 若 客 ﹔
涣 兮 其 若 凌 释 ﹔
敦 兮 其 若 朴 ﹔
旷 兮 其 若 谷 ﹔
混 兮 其 若 浊 ﹔
澹 兮 其 若 海 ﹔
飂 兮 若 无 止 。
孰 能 浊 以 静 之 徐 清 。
孰 能 安 以 动 之 徐 生 。
保 此 道 者 , 不 欲 盈 。
夫 唯 不 盈 , 故 能 蔽 而 新 成 。
Page 42
Fifteen The ancient Masters were profound and subtle.
Their wisdom was unfathomable.
There is no way to describe it;
all we can describe is their appearance.
They were careful
as someone crossing an iced-over stream.
Alert as a warrior in enemy territory.
Courteous as a guest.
Fluid as melting ice.
Shapeable as a block of wood.
Receptive as a valley.
Clear as a glass of water.
Do you have the patience to wait
till your mud settles and the water is clear?
Can you remain unmoving
till the right action arises by itself?
The Master doesn't seek fulfillment.
Not seeking, not expecting,
she is present, and can welcome all things.
Page 43
第 十 六 章
致 虚 极 , 守 静 笃。
万 物 并 作 , 吾 以 观 复。
夫 物 芸 芸 , 各 复 归 其 根 。
归 根 曰 静 , 静 曰 复 命 。
复 命 曰 常 , 知 常 曰 明 。
不 知 常 , 妄 作 凶 。
知 常 容 , 容 乃 公 ,
公 乃 全 , 全 乃 天 ,
天 乃 道 , 道 乃 久 , 没 身 不 殆 。
Page 44
Sixteen Empty your mind of all thoughts.
Let your heart be at peace.
Watch the turmoil of beings,
but contemplate their return.
Each separate being in the universe
returns to the common source.
Returning to the source is serenity.
If you do not realize the source,
you stumble in confusion and sorrow.
When you realize where you come from,
you naturally become tolerant,
disinterested, amused,
kindhearted as a grandmother,
dignified as a king.
Immersed in the wonder of the Dao,
you can deal with whatever life brings you,
and when death comes, you are ready.
Page 45
第 十 七 章
太 上 , 不 知 有 之 ﹔
其 次 , 亲 而 誉 之 ﹔
其 次 , 畏 之 ﹔
其 次 , 侮 之 。
信 不 足 焉 , 有 不 信 焉 。
悠 兮 其 贵 言 。
功 成 事 遂 , 百 姓 皆 谓 : 「 我 自 然 」 。
Page 46
Seventeen When the Master governs, the people
are hardly aware that he exists.
Next best is a leader who is loved.
Next, one who is feared.
The worst is one who is despised.
If you do not trust the people,
you make them untrustworthy.
The Master doesn't talk, he acts.
When his work is done,
the people say, "Amazing:
we did it, all by ourselves!"
Page 47
第 十 八 章
大 道 废 , 有 仁 义 ﹔ 智 慧 出 , 有 大 伪 ﹔
六 亲 不 和 , 有 孝 慈 ﹔ 国 家 昏 乱 , 有 忠 臣 。
Page 48
Eighteen
When the great Dao is forgotten,
goodness and piety appear.
When the body's intelligence declines,
cleverness and knowledge step forth.
When there is no peace in the family,
filial piety begins.
When the country falls into chaos,
patriotism is born.
Page 49
第 十 九 章
绝 圣 弃 智 , 民 利 百 倍 ﹔
绝 仁 弃 义 , 民 复 孝 慈 ﹔
绝 巧 弃 利 , 盗 贼 无 有 。
此 三 者 以 为 文 , 不 足 。
故 令 有 所 属 : 见 素 抱 朴 , 少 思 寡 欲 , 绝 学 无 忧 。
Page 50
Nineteen
Throw away holiness and wisdom,
and people will be a hundred times happier.
Throw away morality and justice,
and people will do the right thing.
Throw away industry and profit,
and there won't be any thieves.
If these three aren't enough,
just stay at the center of the circle
and let all things take their course.
Page 51
第 二 十 章
唯 之 与 阿 , 相 去 几 何 。
之 与 恶 , 相 去 若 何 。
人 之 所 畏 , 不 可 不 畏 。
荒 兮 , 其 未 央 哉 。
众 人 熙 熙 , 如 享 太 牢 , 如 春 登 台 。
我 独 泊 兮 , 其 未 兆 ﹔
沌 沌 兮 , 如 婴 儿 之 未 孩 ﹔
儽 儽 兮 , 若 无 所 归 。
众 人 皆 有 余 , 而 我 独 若 遗 。 我 愚 人 之 心 也 哉 。
俗 人 昭 昭 , 我 独 昏 昏 。
俗 人 察 察 , 我 独 闷 闷 。
众 人 皆 有 以 , 而 我 独 顽 且 鄙 。
我 独 异 于 人 , 而 贵 食 母 。
Page 52
Twenty Stop thinking, and end your problems.
What difference between yes and no?
What difference between success and failure?
Must you value what others value,
avoid what others avoid?
How ridiculous!
Other people are excited,
as though they were at a parade.
I alone do not care;
I alone am expressionless,
like an infant before it can smile.
Other people have what they need;
I alone possess nothing.
I alone drift about,
like someone without a home.
I am like an idiot, my mind is so empty.
Other people are bright;
I alone am dark.
Other people are sharper;
I alone am dull.
Other people have a purpose;
I alone do not know.
I drift like a wave on the ocean;
I blow as aimless as the wind.
I am different from ordinary people.
I drink from the Great Mother's breasts.
Page 53
第 二 十 一 章
孔 德 之 容 , 惟 道 是 从 。
道 之 为 物 , 惟 恍 惟 惚 。
惚 兮 恍 兮 , 其 中 有 象 ﹔ 恍 兮 惚 兮 , 其 中 有 物 。
窈 兮 冥 兮 , 其 中 有 精 ﹔ 其 精 甚 真 , 其 中 有 信 。
自 今 及 古 , 其 名 不 去 , 以 阅 众 甫 。
吾 何 以 知 众 甫 之 状 哉 。 以 此 。
Page 54
Twenty One The Master keeps her mind
always at one with the Dao;
that is what gives her radiance.
The Dao is ungraspable.
How can her mind be at one with it?
Because she doesn't cling to ideas.
The Dao is dark and unfathomable.
How can it make her radiant?
Because she lets it.
Since before time and space were,
the Dao is.
It is beyond is and is not.
How do I know this is true?
I look inside myself and see.
Page 55
第 二 十 二 章
曲 则 全 , 枉 则 直 , 洼 则 盈 ,
敝 则 新 , 少 则 得 , 多 则 惑 。
是 以 圣 人 抱 一 为 天 下 式 。
不 自 见 , 故 明 ﹔
不 自 是 , 故 彰 ﹔
不 自 伐 , 故 有 功 ﹔
不 自 矜 , 故 长 。
夫 唯 不 争 , 故 天 下 莫 能 与 之 争 。
古 之 所 谓 「 曲 则 全 」 者 , 岂 虚 言 哉 。
诚 全 而 归 之 。
Page 56
Twenty Two If you want to become whole,
let yourself be partial.
If you want to become straight,
let yourself be crooked.
If you want to become full,
let yourself be empty.
If you want to be reborn,
let yourself die.
If you want to be given everything,
give everything up.
The Master, by residing in the Dao,
sets an example for all beings.
Because he doesn't display himself,
people can see his light.
Because he has nothing to prove,
people can trust his words.
Because he doesn't know who he is,
people recognize themselves in him.
Because he has no goad in mind,
everything he does succeeds.
When the ancient Masters said,
"If you want to be given everything,
give everything up,"
they weren't using empty phrases.
Only in being lived by the Dao can you be truly yourself.
Page 57
第 二 十 三 章
希 言 自 然 。
故 飘 风 不 终 朝 , 骤 雨 不 终 日 。
孰 为 此 者 。
天 地 。 天 地 尚 不 能 久 , 而 况 于 人 乎 。
故 从 事 于 道 者 , 同 于 道 ﹔
德 者 , 同 于 德 ﹔ 失 者 , 同 于 失 。
同 于 道 者 , 道 亦 乐 得 之 ﹔
同 于 德 者 , 德 亦 乐 得 之 ﹔
同 于 失 者 , 失 亦 乐 得 之 。
信 不 足 焉 , 有 不 信 焉 。
Page 58
Twenty Three Express yourself completely,
then keep quiet.
Be like the forces of nature:
when it blows, there is only wind;
when it rains, there is only rain;
when the clouds pass, the sun shines through.
If you open yourself to the Dao,
you are at one with the Dao
and you can embody it completely.
If you open yourself to insight,
you are at one with insight
and you can use it completely.
If you open yourself to loss,
you are at one with loss
and you can accept it completely.
Open yourself to the Dao,
then trust your natural responses;
and everything will fall into place.
Page 59
第 二 十 四 章
企 者 不 立 ﹔ 跨 者 不 行 ﹔
自 见 者 不 明 ﹔ 自 是 者 不 彰 ﹔
自 伐 者 无 功 ﹔ 自 矜 者 不 长 。
其 在 道 也 , 曰 : 余 食 赘 形 。
物 或 恶 之 , 故 有 道 者 不 处 。
Page 60
Twenty Four He who stands on tiptoe
doesn't stand form.
He who rushes ahead
doesn't go far.
He who tries to shine
dims his own light.
He who defines himself
can't know who he really is.
He who has power over others
can't empower himself.
He who clings to his work
will create nothing that endures.
If you want to accord with the Dao,
just do your job, then let go.
Page 61
第 二 十 五 章
有 物 混 成 , 先 天 地 生 。
寂 兮 寥 兮 , 独 立 而 不 改 ,
周 行 而 不 殆 , 可 以 为 天 地 母 。
吾 不 知 其 名 , 强 字 之 曰 道 , 强 为 之 名 曰 大 。
大 曰 逝 , 逝 曰 远 , 远 曰 反 。
故 道 大 , 天 大 , 地 大 , 人 亦 大 。
域 中 有 四 大 , 而 人 居 其 一 焉 。
人 法 地 , 地 法 天 , 天 法 道 , 道 法 自 然 。
Page 62
Twenty Five There was something formless and perfect
before the universe was born.
It is serene. Empty.
Solitary. Unchanging.
Infinite. Eternally present.
It is the mother of the universe.
For lack of a better name,
I call it the Dao.
It flows through all things,
inside and outside, and returns
to the origin of all things.
The Dao is great.
The universe is great.
Earth is great.
Man is great.
These are the four great powers.
Man follows the earth.
Earth follows the universe.
The universe follows the Dao.
The Dao follows only itself.
Page 63
第 二 十 六 章
重 为 轻 根 , 静 为 躁 君 。
是 以 君 子 终 日 行 不 离 辎 重 。
虽 有 荣 观 , 燕 处 超 然 。
奈 何 万 乘 之 主 , 而 以 身 轻 天 下 。
轻 则 失 根 , 躁 则 失 君 。
Page 64
Twenty Six The heavy is the root of the light.
The unmoved is the source of all movement.
Thus the Master travels all day
without leaving home.
However splendid the views,
she stays serenely in herself.
Why should the lord of the country
flit about like a fool?
If you let yourself be blown to and fro,
you lose touch with your root.
If you let restlessness move you,
you lose touch with who you are.
Page 65
第 二 十 七 章
善 行 无 辙 迹 , 善 言 无 瑕 谪 ﹔
善 数 不 用 筹 策 ﹔ 善 闭 无 关 楗 而 不 可 开 ,
善 结 无 绳 约 而 不 可 解 。
是 以 圣 人 常 善 救 人 , 故 无 弃 人 ﹔
常 善 救 物 , 故 无 弃 物 。
是 谓 袭 明 。
故 善 人 者 , 不 善 人 之 师 ﹔
不 善 人 者 , 善 人 之 资 。
不 贵 其 师 , 不 爱 其 资 ,
虽 智 大 迷 , 是 谓 要 妙 。
Page 66
Twenty Seven A good traveler has no fixed plans
and is not intent upon arriving.
A good artist lets his intuition
lead him wherever it wants.
A good scientist has freed himself of concepts
and keeps his mind open to what is.
Thus the Master is available to all people
and doesn't reject anyone.
He is ready to use all situations
and doesn't waste anything.
This is called embodying the light.
What is a good man but a bad man's teacher?
What is a bad man but a good man's job?
If you do not understand this, you will get lost,
however intelligent you are.
It is the great secret.
Page 67
第 二 十 八 章
知 其 雄 , 守 其 雌 , 为 天 下 溪 。
为 天 下 溪 , 常 德 不 离 , 复 归 于 婴 儿 。
知 其 白 , 守 其 辱 , 为 天 下 谷 。
为 天 下 谷 , 常 德 乃 足 , 复 归 于 朴 。
知 其 白 , 守 其 黑 , 为 天 下 式 。
为 天 下 式 , 常 德 不 忒 , 复 归 于 无 极 。
朴 散 则 为 器 , 圣 人 用 之 ,
则 为 官 长 , 故 大 智 不 割 。
Page 68
Twenty Eight Know the male,
yet keep to the female:
receive the world in your arms.
If you receive the world,
the Dao will never leave you
and you will be like a little child.
Know the white,
yet keep to the black:
be a pattern for the world.
If you are a pattern for the world,
the Dao will be strong inside you
and there will be nothing you can't do.
Know the personal,
yet keep to the impersonal:
accept the world as it is.
If you accept the world,
the Dao will be luminous inside you
and you will return to your primal self.
The world is formed from the void,
like utensils from a block of wood.
The Master knows the utensils,
yet keeps to the block:
thus she can use all things.
Page 69
第 二 十 九 章
将 欲 取 天 下 而 为 之 , 吾 见 其 不 得 已 。
天 下 神 器 , 不 可 为 也 , 不 可 执 也 。
为 者 败 之 , 执 者 失 之 。
是 以 圣 人 无 为 , 故 无 败 ﹔
无 执 , 故 无 失。
夫 物 或 行 或 随 ﹔ 或 嘘 或 吹 ﹔
或 强 或 羸 ﹔ 或 载 或 隳 。
是 以 圣 人 去 甚 , 去 奢 , 去 泰 。
Page 70
Twenty Nine Do you want to improve the world?
I do not think it can be done.
The world is sacred.
It can't be improved.
If you tamper with it, you'll ruin it.
If you treat it like an object, you'll lose it.
There is a time for being ahead,
a time for being behind;
a time for being in motion,
a time for being at rest;
a time for being vigorous,
a time for being exhausted;
a time for being safe,
a time for being in danger.
The Master sees things as they are,
without trying to control them.
She lets them go their own way,
and resides at the center of the circle.
Page 71
第 三 十 章
以 道 佐 人 主 者 , 不 以 兵 强 天 下 。
其 事 好 远 。
师 之 所 处 , 荆 棘 生 焉 。
大 军 之 后 , 必 有 凶 年 。
善 有 果 而 已 , 不 以 取 强 。
果 而 勿 矜 , 果 而 勿 伐 , 果 而 勿 骄 。
果 而 不 得 已 , 果 而 勿 强 。
物 壮 则 老 , 是 谓 不 道 , 不 道 早 已 。
Page 72
Thirty Whoever relies on the Dao in governing men
doesn't try to force issues
or defeat enemies by force of arms.
For every force there is a counterforce.
Violence, even well intentioned,
always rebounds upon oneself.
The Master does his job
and then stops.
He understands that the universe
is forever out of control,
and that trying to dominate events
goes against the current of the Dao.
Because he believes in himself,
he doesn't try to convince others.
Because he is content with himself,
he doesn't need others' approval.
Because he accepts himself,
the whole world accepts him.
Page 73
第 三 十 一 章
夫 兵 者 , 不 祥 之 器 ,
物 或 恶 之 , 故 有 道 者 不 处 。
君 子 居 则 贵 左 , 用 兵 则 贵 右 。
兵 者 不 祥 之 器 , 非 君 子 之 器 ,
不 得 已 而 用 之 , 恬 淡 为 上 。
胜 而 不 美 , 而 美 之 者 , 是 乐 杀 人 。
夫 乐 杀 人 者 , 则 不 可 得 志 于 天 下 矣 。
吉 事 尚 左 , 凶 事 尚 右 。
偏 将 军 居 左 , 上 将 军 居 右 , 言 以 丧 礼 处 之 。
杀 人 之 众 , 以 悲 哀 泣 之 , 战 胜 以 丧 礼 处 之 。
Page 74
Thirty One Weapons are the tools of violence;
all decent men detest them.
Weapons are the tools of fear;
a decent man will avoid them
except in the direst necessity
and, if compelled, will use them
only with the utmost restraint.
Peace is his highest value.
If the peace has been shattered,
how can he be content?
His enemies are not demons,
but human beings like himself.
He doesn't wish them personal harm.
Nor does he rejoice in victory.
How could he rejoice in victory
and delight in the slaughter of men?
He enters a battle gravely,
with sorrow and with great compassion,
as if he were attending a funeral.
Page 75
第 三 十 二 章
道 常 无 名 朴 。
虽 小 , 天 下 莫 能 臣 。
侯 王 若 能 守 之 , 万 物 将 自 宾 。
天 地 相 合 , 以 降 甘 露 , 民 莫 之 令 而 自 均 。
始 制 有 名 , 名 亦 既 有 ,
夫 亦 将 知 止 , 知 止 可 以 不 殆 。
譬 道 之 在 天 下 , 犹 川 谷 之 于 江 海 。
Page 76
Thirty Two The Dao can't be perceived.
Smaller than an electron,
it contains uncountable galaxies.
If powerful men and women
could remain centered in the Dao,
all things would be in harmony.
The world would become a paradise.
All people would be at peace,
and the law would be written in their hearts.
When you have names and forms,
know that they are provisional.
When you have institutions,
know where their functions should end.
Knowing when to stop,
you can avoid any danger.
All things end in the Dao
as rivers flow into the sea.
Page 77
第 三 十 三 章
知 人 者 智 , 自 知 者 明 。
胜 人 者 有 力 , 自 胜 者 强 。
知 足 者 富 。
强 行 者 有 志 。
不 失 其 所 者 久 。
死 而 不 亡 者 寿 。
Page 78
Thirty Three Knowing others is intelligence;
knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
mastering yourself is true power.
If you realize that you have enough,
you are truly rich.
If you stay in the center
and embrace death with your whole heart,
you will endure forever.
Page 79
第 三 十 四 章
大 道 泛 兮 , 其 可 左 右 。
万 物 恃 之 以 生 而 不 辞 , 功 成 而 不 有 。
衣 养 万 物 而 不 为 主 , 可 名 于 小 ﹔
万 物 归 焉 而 不 为 主 , 可 名 为 大 。
以 其 终 不 自 为 大 , 故 能 成 其 大 。
Page 80
Thirty Four The great Dao flows everywhere.
All things are born from it,
yet it doesn't create them.
It pours itself into its work,
yet it makes no claim.
It nourishes infinite worlds,
yet it doesn't hold on to them.
Since it is merged with all things
and hidden in their hearts,
it can be called humble.
Since all things vanish into it
and it alone endures,
it can be called great.
It isn't aware of its greatness;
thus it is truly great.
Page 81
第 三 十 五 章
执 大 象 , 天 下 往 。
往 而 不 害 , 安 平 泰 。
乐 与 饵 , 过 客 止 。
道 之 出 口 , 淡 乎 其 无 味 ,
视 之 不 足 见 , 听 之 不 足 闻 , 用 之 不 足 既 。
Page 82
Thirty Five She who is centered in the Dao
can go where she wishes, without danger.
She perceives the universal harmony,
even amid great pain,
because she has found peace in her heart.
Music or the smell of good cooking
may make people stop and enjoy.
But words that point to the Dao
seem monotonous and without flavor.
When you look for it, there is nothing to see.
When you listen for it, there is nothing to hear.
When you use it, it is inexhaustible.
Page 83
第 三 十 六 章
将 欲 歙 之 , 必 故 张 之 ﹔ 将 欲 弱 之 , 必 故 强 之 ﹔
将 欲 废 之 , 必 故 兴 之 ﹔ 将 欲 取 之 , 必 故 与 之 。
是 谓 微 明 。
柔 弱 胜 刚 强 。
鱼 不 可 脱 于 渊 , 国 之 利 器 不 可 以 示 人 。
Page 84
Thirty Six If you want to shrink something,
you must first allow it to expand.
If you want to get rid of something,
you must first allow it to flourish.
If you want to take something,
you must first allow it to be given.
This is called the subtle perception
of the way things are.
The soft overcomes the hard.
The slow overcomes the fast.
Let your workings remain a mystery.
Just show peoples the results.
Page 85
第 三 十 七 章
道 常 无 为 而 无 不 为 。
侯 王 若 能 守 之 , 万 物 将 自 化 。
化 而 欲 作 , 吾 将 镇 之 以 无 名 之 朴 。
镇 之 以 无 名 之 朴 , 夫 将 不 欲 。
不 欲 以 静 , 天 下 将 自 正 。
Page 86
Thirty Seven The Dao never does anything,
yet through it all things are done.
If powerful men and women
could center themselves in it,
the whole world would be transformed
by itself, in its natural rhythms.
People would be content
with their simple, everyday lives,
in harmony, and free of desire.
When there is no desire,
all things are at peace.
Page 87
第 三 十 八 章
上 德 不 德 , 是 以 有 德 ﹔
下 德 不 失 德 , 是 以 无 德 。
上 德 无 为 而 无 以 为 ﹔
下 德 无 为 而 有 以 为 。
上 仁 为 之 而 无 以 为 ﹔
上 义 为 之 而 有 以 为 。
上 礼 为 之 而 莫 之 应 ,
则 攘 臂 而 扔 之 。
故 失 道 而 后 德 , 失 德 而 后 仁 ,
失 仁 而 后 义 , 失 义 而 后 礼 。
夫 礼 者 , 忠 信 之 薄 , 而 乱 之 首 。
前 识 者 , 道 之 华 , 而 愚 之 始 。
是 以 大 丈 夫 处 其 厚 , 不 居 其 薄 ﹔
处 其 实 , 不 居 其 华 。 故 去 彼 取 此 。
Page 88
Thirty Eight The Master doesn't try to be powerful;
thus he is truly powerful.
The ordinary man keeps reaching for power;
thus he never has enough.
The Master does nothing,
yet he leaves nothing undone.
The ordinary man is always doing things,
yet many more are left to be done.
The kind man does something,
yet something remains undone.
The just man does something,
and leaves many things to be done.
The moral man does something,
and when no one responds
he rolls up his sleeves and uses force.
When the Dao is lost, there is goodness.
When goodness is lost, there is morality.
When morality is lost, there is ritual.
Ritual is the husk of true faith,
the beginning of chaos.
Therefore the Master concerns himself
with the depths and not the surface,
with the fruit and not the flower.
He has no will of his own.
He dwells in reality,
and lets all illusions go.
Page 89
第 三 十 九 章
昔 之 得 一 者 :
天 得 一 以 清 ﹔
地 得 一 以 宁 ﹔
神 得 一 以 灵 ﹔
谷 得 一 以 生 ﹔
侯 得 一 以 为 天 下 正 。
其 致 之 也 , 谓 天 无 以 清 , 将 恐 裂 ﹔
地 无 以 宁 , 将 恐 废 ﹔
神 无 以 灵 , 将 恐 歇 ﹔
谷 无 以 盈 , 将 恐 竭 ﹔
万 物 无 以 生 , 将 恐 灭 ﹔
侯 王 无 以 正 , 将 恐 蹶 。
故 贵 以 贱 为 本 , 高 以 下 为 基 。
是 以 侯 王 自 称 孤 、 寡 、 不 谷 。
此 非 以 贱 为 本 邪 。 非 乎 。 故 致 誉 无 誉 。
是 故 不 欲 琭 琭 如 玉 , 珞 珞 如 石 。
Page 90
Thirty Nine
In harmony with the Dao,
the sky is clear and spacious,
the earth is solid and full,
all creature flourish together,
content with the way they are,
endlessly repeating themselves,
endlessly renewed.
When man interferes with the Dao,
the sky becomes filthy,
the earth becomes depleted,
the equilibrium crumbles,
and creatures become extinct.
The Master views the parts with compassion,
because he understands the whole.
His constant practice is humility.
He doesn't glitter like a jewel
but lets himself be shaped by the Dao,
as rugged and common as stone.
Page 91
第 四 十 章
反 者 道 之 动 ﹔ 弱 者 道 之 用 。
天 下 万 物 生 于 有 , 有 生 于 无 。
Page 92
40 Return is the movement of the Dao.
Yielding is the way of the Dao.
All things are born of being.
Being is born of non-being.
Page 93
第 四 十 一 章
上 士 闻 道 , 勤 而 行 之 ﹔ 中 士 闻 道 , 若 存 若 亡 ﹔
下 士 闻 道 , 大 笑 之 。 不 笑 不 足 以 为 道 。
故 建 言 有 之 :
明 道 若 昧 ﹔
进 道 若 退 ﹔
夷 道 若 颣 ﹔
上 德 若 谷 ﹔
广 德 若 不 足 ﹔
建 德 若 偷 ﹔
质 真 若 渝 ﹔
大 白 若 辱 ﹔
大 方 无 隅 ﹔
大 器 晚 成 ﹔
大 音 希 声 ﹔
大 象 无 形 ﹔
道 隐 无 名 。
夫 唯 道 , 善 贷 且 成 。
Page 94
Forty One When a superior man hears of the Dao,
he immediately begins to embody it.
When an average man hears of the Dao,
he half believes it, half doubts it.
When a foolish man hears of the Dao,
he laughs out loud.
If he didn't laugh,
it wouldn't be the Dao.
Thus it is said:
The path into the light seems dark,
the path forward seems to go back,
the direct path seems long,
true power seems weak,
true purity seems tarnished,
true steadfastness seems changeable,
true clarity seems obscure,
the greatest are seems unsophisticated,
the greatest love seems indifferent,
the greatest wisdom seems childish.
The Dao is nowhere to be found.
Yet it nourishes and completes all things.
Page 95
第 四 十 二 章
道 生 一 , 一 生 二 , 二 生 三 , 三 生 万 物 。
万 物 负 阴 而 抱 阳 , 冲 气 以 为 和 。
人 之 所 恶 , 唯 孤 、 寡 、 不 谷 , 而 王 公 以 为 称 。
故 物 或 损 之 而 益 , 或 益 之 而 损 。
人 之 所 教 , 我 亦 教 之 。
强 梁 者 不 得 其 死 , 吾 将 以 为 教 父 。
Page 96
Forty Two The Dao gives birth to One.
One gives birth to Two.
Two gives birth to Three.
Three gives birth to all things.
All things have their backs to the female
and stand facing the male.
When male and female combine,
all things achieve harmony.
Ordinary men hate solitude.
But the Master makes use of it,
embracing his aloneness, realizing
he is one with the whole universe.
Page 97
第 四 十 三 章
天 下 之 至 柔 , 驰 骋 天 下 之 至 坚 。
无 有 入 无 间 , 吾 是 以 知 无 为 之 有 益 。
不 言 之 教 , 无 为 之 益 , 天 下 希 及 之 。
Page 98
Forty Three The gentlest thing in the world
overcomes the hardest thing in the world.
That which has no substance
enters where there is no space.
This shows the value of non-action.
Teaching without words,
performing without actions:
that is the Master's way.
Page 99
第 四 十 四 章
名 与 身 孰 亲 。 身 与 货 孰 多 。 得 与 亡 孰 病 。
甚 爱 必 大 费 ﹔ 多 藏 必 厚 亡 。
故 知 足 不 辱 , 知 止 不 殆 , 可 以 长 久 。
Page 100
Forty Four Fame or integrity: which is more important?
Money or happiness: which is more valuable?
Success of failure: which is more destructive?
If you look to others for fulfillment,
you will never truly be fulfilled.
If your happiness depends on money,
you will never be happy with yourself.
Be content with what you have;
rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking,
the whole world belongs to you.
Page 101
第 四 十 五 章
大 成 若 缺 , 其 用 不 弊 。
大 盈 若 冲 , 其 用 不 穷 。
大 直 若 屈 , 大 巧 若 拙 , 大 辩 若 讷 。
静 胜 躁 , 寒 胜 热 。 清 静 为 天 下 正 。
Page 102
Forty Five True perfection seems imperfect,
yet it is perfectly itself.
True fullness seems empty,
yet it is fully present.
True straightness seems crooked.
True wisdom seems foolish.
True art seems artless.
The Master allows things to happen.
She shapes events as they come.
She steps out of the way
and lets the Dao speak for itself.
Page 103
第 四 十 六 章
天 下 有 道 , 却 走 马 以 粪 。
天 下 无 道 , 戎 马 生 于 郊 。
祸 莫 大 于 不 知 足 ﹔ 咎 莫 大 于 欲 得 。
故 知 足 之 足 , 常 足 矣 。
Page 104
Forty Six When a country is in harmony with the Dao,
the factories make trucks and tractors.
When a country goes counter to the Dao,
warheads are stockpiled outside the cities.
There is no greater illusion than fear,
no greater wrong than preparing to defend yourself,
no greater misfortune than having an enemy.
Whoever can see through all fear
will always be safe.
Page 105
第 四 十 七 章
不 出 户 , 知 天 下 ﹔ 不 窥 牖 , 见 天 道 。
其 出 弥 远 , 其 知 弥 少 。
是 以 圣 人 不 行 而 知 , 不 见 而 明 , 不 为 而 成 。
Page 106
Forty Seven Without opening your door,
you can open your heart to the world.
Without looking out your window,
you can see the essence of the Dao.
The more you know,
the less you understand.
The Master arrives without leaving,
sees the light without looking,
achieves without doing a thing.
Page 107
第 四 十 八 章
为 学 日 益 , 为 道 日 损 。
损 之 又 损 , 以 至 于 无 为 。
无 为 而 无 不 为 。
取 天 下 常 以 无 事 , 及 其 有 事 , 不 足 以 取 天 下 。
Page 108
Forty Eight In pursuit of knowledge,
every day something is added.
In the practice of the Dao,
every day something is dropped.
Less and less do you need to force things,
until finally you arrive at non-action.
When nothing is done,
nothing is left undone.
True mastery can be gained
by letting things go their own way.
It can't be gained by interfering.
Page 109
第 四 十 九 章
圣 人 常 无 心 , 以 百 姓 心 为 心 。
善 者 , 吾 善 之 ﹔ 不 善 者 , 吾 亦 善 之 ﹔ 德 善 。
信 者 , 吾 信 之 ﹔ 不 信 者 , 吾 亦 信 之 ﹔ 德 信 。
圣 人 在 天 下 , 歙 歙 焉 , 为 天 下 浑 其 心 ,
百 姓 皆 注 其 耳 目 , 圣 人 皆 孩 之 。
Page 110
Forty Nine The Master has no mind of her own.
She works with the mind of the people.
She is good to people who are good.
She is also good to people who aren't good.
This is true goodness.
She trusts people who are trustworthy.
She also trusts people who aren't trustworthy.
This is true trust.
The Master's mind is like space.
People do not understand her.
They look to her and wait.
She treats them like her own children.
Page 111
第 五 十 章
出 生 入 死 。
生 之 徒 , 十 有 三 ﹔
死 之 徒 , 十 有 三 ﹔
人 之 生 , 动 之 于 死 地 , 亦 十 有 三 。
夫 何 故 。
以 其 生 之 厚 。
盖 闻 善 摄 生 者 , 路 行 不 遇 兕 虎 , 入 军 不 被 甲 兵 ﹔
兕 无 所 投 其 角 , 虎 无 所 用 其 爪 , 兵 无 所 容 其 刃 。
夫 何 故 。 以 其 无 死 地 。
Page 112
Fifty The Master gives himself up
to whatever the moment brings.
He knows that he is going to die,
and he has nothing left to hold on to:
no illusions in his mind,
no resistances in his body.
He doesn't think about his actions;
they flow from the core of his being.
He holds nothing back from life;
therefore he is ready for death,
as a man is ready for sleep
after a good day's work.
Page 113
第 五 十 一 章
道 生 之 , 德 畜 之 , 物 形 之 , 势 成 之 。
是 以 万 物 莫 不 尊 道 而 贵 德 。
道 之 尊 , 德 之 贵 , 夫 莫 之 命 而 常 自 然 。
故 道 生 之 , 德 畜 之 ﹔
长 之 育 之 ﹔ 成 之 熟 之 ﹔ 养 之 覆 之 。
生 而 不 有 , 为 而 不 恃 ,
长 而 不 宰 。 是 谓 玄 德 。
Page 114
Fifty One Every being in the universe
is an expression of the Dao.
It springs into existence,
unconscious, perfect, free,
takes on a physical body,
lets circumstances complete it.
That is why every being
spontaneously honors the Dao.
The Dao gives birth to all beings,
nourishes them, maintains them,
cares for them, comforts them, protects them,
takes them back to itself,
creating without possessing,
acting without expecting,
guiding without interfering.
That is why love of the Dao
is in the very nature of things.
Page 115
第 五 十 二 章
天 下 有 始 , 以 为 天 下 母 。
既 得 其 母 , 以 知 其 子 ,
复 守 其 母 , 没 身 不 殆 。
塞 其 兑 , 闭 其 门 , 终 身 不 勤 。
开 其 兑 , 济 其 事 , 终 身 不 救 。
见 小 曰 明 , 守 柔 曰 强 。
用 其 光 , 复 归 其 明 , 无 遗 身 殃 ﹔ 是 为 袭 常 。
Page 116
Fifty Two In the beginning was the Dao.
All things issue from it;
all things return to it.
To find the origin,
trace back the manifestations.
When you recognize the children
and find the mother,
you will be free of sorrow.
If you close your mind in judgments
and traffic with desires,
your heart will be troubled.
If you keep your mind from judging
and aren't led by the senses,
your heart will find peace.
Seeing into darkness is clarity.
Knowing how to yield is strength.
Use your own light
and return to the source of light.
This is called practicing eternity.
Page 117
第 五 十 三 章
使 我 介 然 有 知 , 行 于 大 道 , 唯 施 是 畏 。
大 道 甚 夷 , 而 人 好 径 。
朝 甚 除 , 田 甚 芜 , 仓 甚 虚 ﹔
服 文 采 , 带 利 剑 , 厌 饮 食 ,
财 货 有 余 ﹔ 是 为 盗 夸 。
非 道 也 哉 。
Page 118
Fifty Three The great Way is easy,
yet people prefer the side paths.
Be aware when things are out of balance.
Stay centered within the Dao.
When rich speculators prosper
While farmers lose their land;
when government officials spend money
on weapons instead of cures;
when the upper class is extravagant and irresponsible
while the poor have nowhere to turn-
all this is robbery and chaos.
It is not in keeping with the Dao.
Page 119
第 五 十 四 章
善 建 者 不 拔 ,
善 抱 者 不 脱 , 子 孙 以 祭 祀 不 辍 。
修 之 于 身 , 其 德 乃 真 ﹔
修 之 于 家 , 其 德 乃 余 ﹔
修 之 于 乡 , 其 德 乃 长 ﹔
修 之 于 邦 , 其 德 乃 丰 ﹔
修 之 于 天 下 , 其 德 乃 普 。
故 以 身 观 身 ,
以 家 观 家 , 以 乡 观 乡 ,
以 邦 观 邦 , 以 天 下 观 天 下 。
吾 何 以 知 天 下 然 哉 。 以 此 。
Page 120
Fifty Four Whoever is planted in the Dao
will not be rooted up.
Whoever embraces the Dao
will not slip away.
Her name will be held in honor
from generation to generation.
Let the Dao be present in your life
and you will become genuine.
Let it be present in your family
and your family will flourish.
Let it be present in your country
and your country will be an example
to all countries in the world.
Let it be present in the universe
and the universe will sing.
How do I know this is true?
By looking inside myself.
Page 121
第 五 十 五 章
含 「 德 」 之 厚 , 比 于 赤 子 。
毒 虫 不 螫 , 猛 兽 不 据 , 攫 鸟 不 搏 。
骨 弱 筋 柔 而 握 固 。
未 知 牝 牡 之 合 而 峻 作 , 精 之 至 也 。
终 日 号 而 不 嗄 , 和 之 至 也 。
知 和 曰 「 常 」 ,
知 常 曰 「 明 」 。
益 生 曰 祥 。 心 使 气 曰 强 。
物 壮 则 老 , 谓 之 不 道 , 不 道 早 已 。
Page 122
Fifty Five He who is in harmony with the Dao
is like a newborn child.
Its bones are soft, its muscles are weak,
but its grip is powerful.
It doesn't know about the union
of male and female,
yet its penis can stand erect,
so intense is its vital power.
It can scream its head off all day,
yet it never becomes hoarse,
so complete is its harmony.
The Master's power is like this.
He lets all things come and go
effortlessly, without desire.
He never expects results;
thus he is never disappointed.
He is never disappointed;
thus his spirit never grows old.
Page 123
第 五 十 六 章
知 者 不 言 , 言 者 不 知 。
挫 其 锐 , 解 其 纷 , 和 其 光 ,
同 其 尘 , 是 谓 「 玄 同 」 。
故 不 可 得 而 亲 , 不 可 得 而 疏 ﹔
不 可 得 而 利 , 不 可 得 而 害 ﹔
不 可 得 而 贵 , 不 可 得 而 贱 。 故 为 天 下 贵 。
Page 124
Fifty Six Those who know do not talk.
Those who talk do not know.
Close your mouth,
block off your senses,
blunt your sharpness,
untie your knots,
soften your glare,
settle your dust.
This is the primal identity.
Be like the Dao.
It can't be approached or withdrawn from,
benefited or harmed,
honored or brought into disgrace.
It gives itself up continually.
That is why it endures.
Page 125
第 五 十 七 章
以 正 治 国 , 以 奇 用 兵 , 以 无 事 取 天 下 。
吾 何 以 知 其 然 哉 。 以 此 :
天 下 多 忌 讳 , 而 民 弥 贫 ﹔
人 多 利 器 , 国 家 滋 昏 ﹔
人 多 伎 巧 , 奇 物 滋 起 ﹔
法 令 滋 彰 , 盗 贼 多 有 。
故 圣 人 云 :
「 我 无 为 , 而 民 自 化 ﹔
我 好 静 , 而 民 自 正 ﹔
我 无 事 , 而 民 自 富 ﹔
我 无 欲 , 而 民 自 朴 。
Page 126
Fifty Seven If you want to be a great leader,
you must learn to follow the Dao.
Stop trying to control.
Let go of fixed plans and concepts,
and the world will govern itself.
The more prohibitions you have,
the less virtuous people will be.
The more weapons you have,
the less secure people will be.
The more subsidies you have,
the less self-reliant people will be.
Therefore the Master says:
I let go of the law,
and people become honest.
I let go of economics,
and people become prosperous.
I let go of religion,
and people become serene.
I let go of all desire for the common good,
and the good becomes common as grass.
Page 127
第 五 十 八 章
其 政 闷 闷 , 其 民 淳 淳 ﹔
其 政 察 察 , 其 民 缺 缺 。
是 以 圣 人 方 而 不 割 , 廉 而 不 刿 ,
直 而 不 肆 , 光 而 不 耀 。
祸 兮 福 之 所 倚 , 福 兮 祸 之 所 伏 。
孰 知 其 极 。 其 无 正 也 。
正 复 为 奇 , 善 复 为 妖 。
人 之 迷 , 其 日 固 久 。
Page 128
Fifty Eight If a country is governed with tolerance,
the people are comfortable and honest.
If a country is governed with repression,
the people are depressed and crafty.
When the will to power is in charge,
the higher the ideals, the lower the results.
Try to make people happy,
and you lay the groundwork for misery.
Try to make people moral,
and you lay the groundwork for vice.
Thus the Master is content
to serve as an example
and not to impose her will.
She is pointed, but doesn't pierce.
Straightforward, but supple.
Radiant, but easy on the eyes.
Page 129
第 五 十 九 章
治 人 事 天 , 莫 若 啬 。
夫 唯 啬 , 是 谓 早 服 ﹔
早 服 谓 之 重 积 德 ﹔ 重 积 德 则 无 不 克 ﹔
无 不 克 则 莫 知 其 极 ﹔ 莫 知 其 极 , 可 以 有 国 ﹔
有 国 之 母 , 可 以 长 久 ﹔
是 谓 深 根 固 柢 , 长 生 久 视 之 道 。
Page 130
Fifty Nine For governing a country well
there is nothing better than moderation.
The mark of a moderate man
is freedom from his own ideas.
Tolerant like the sky,
all-pervading like sunlight,
firm like a mountain,
supple like a tree in the wind,
he has no destination in view
and makes use of anything
life happens to bring his way.
Nothing is impossible for him.
Because he has let go,
he can care for the people's welfare
as a mother cares for her child.
Page 131
第 六 十 章
治 大 国 , 若 烹 小 鲜 。
以 道 莅 天 下 , 其 鬼 不 神 ﹔
非 其 鬼 不 神 , 其 神 不 伤 人 ﹔
非 其 神 不 伤 人 , 圣 人 亦 不 伤 人 。
夫 两 不 相 伤 , 故 德 交 归 焉 。
Page 132
Sixty Governing a large country
is like frying a small fish.
You spoil it with too much poking.
Center your country in the Dao
and evil will have no power.
Not that it isn't there,
but you'll be able to step out of its way.
Give evil nothing to oppose
and it will disappear by itself.
Page 133
第 六 十 一 章
大 邦 者 下 流 , 天 下 之 牝 ,
天 下 之 交 也 。
牝 常 以 静 胜 牡 , 以 静 为 下 。
故 大 邦 以 下 小 邦 , 则 取 小 邦 ﹔
小 邦 以 下 大 邦 , 则 取 大 邦 。
故 或 下 以 取 , 或 下 而 取 。
大 邦 不 过 欲 兼 畜 人 , 小 邦 不 过 欲 入 事 人 。
夫 两 者 各 得 所 欲 , 大 者 宜 为 下 。
Page 134
Sixty One When a country obtains great power,
it becomes like the sea:
all streams run downward into it.
The more powerful it grows,
the greater the need for humility.
Humility means trusting the Dao,
thus never needing to be defensive.
A great nation is like a great man:
When he makes a mistake, he realizes it.
Having realized it, he admits it.
Having admitted it, he corrects it.
He considers those who point out his faults
as his most benevolent teachers.
He thinks of his enemy
as the shadow that he himself casts.
If a nation is centered in the Dao,
if it nourishes its own people
and doesn't meddle in the affairs of others,
it will be a light to all nations in the world.
Page 135
第 六 十 二 章
道 者 万 物 之 奥 。 善 人 之 宝 , 不 善 人 之 所 保 。
美 言 可 以 市 尊 , 美 行 可 以 加 人 。
人 之 不 善 , 何 弃 之 有 。
故 立 天 子 , 置 三 公 ,
虽 有 拱 璧 以 先 驷 马 ,
不 如 坐 进 此 道 。
古 之 所 以 贵 此 道 者 何 。
不 曰 : 求 以 得 , 有 罪 以 免 邪 。 故 为 天 下 贵 。
Page 136
Sixty Two The Dao is the center of the universe,
the good man's treasure,
the bad man's refuge.
Honors can be bought with fine words,
respect can be won with good deeds;
but the Dao is beyond all value,
and no one can achieve it.
Thus, when a new leader is chosen,
do not offer to help him
with your wealth or your expertise.
Offer instead
to teach him about the Dao.
Why did the ancient Masters esteem the Dao?
Because, being one with the Dao,
when you seek, you find;
and when you make a mistake, you are forgiven.
That is why everybody loves it.
Page 137
第 六 十 三 章
为 无 为 , 事 无 事 , 味 无 味 。
图 难 于 其 易 , 为 大 于 其 细 ﹔
天 下 难 事 , 必 作 于 易 ,
天 下 大 事 , 必 作 于 细 。
是 以 圣 人 终 不 为 大 , 故 能 成 其 大 。
夫 轻 诺 必 寡 信 , 多 易 必 多 难 。
是 以 圣 人 犹 难 之 , 故 终 无 难 矣 。
Page 138
Sixty Three Act without doing;
work without effort.
Think of the small as large
and the few as many.
Confront the difficult
while it is still easy;
accomplish the great task
by a series of small acts.
The Master never reaches for the great;
thus she achieves greatness.
When she runs into a difficulty,
she stops and gives herself to it.
She doesn't cling to her own comfort;
thus problems are no problem for her.
Page 139
第 六 十 四 章
其 安 易 持 , 其 未 兆 易 谋 。
其 脆 易 泮 , 其 微 易 散 。
为 之 于 未 有 , 治 之 于 未 乱 。
合 抱 之 木 , 生 于 毫 末 ﹔
九 层 之 台 , 起 于 累 土 ﹔
千 里 之 行 , 始 于 足 下。
民 之 从 事 , 常 于 几 成 而 败 之 。
慎 终 如 始 , 则 无 败 事 。
Page 140
Sixty Four What is rooted is easy to nourish.
What is recent is easy to correct.
What is brittle is easy to break.
What is small is easy to scatter.
Prevent trouble before it arises.
Put things in order before they exist.
The giant pine tree
grows from a tiny sprout.
The journey of a thousand miles
starts from beneath your feet.
Rushing into action, you fail.
Trying to grasp things, you lose them.
Forcing a project to completion,
you ruin what was almost ripe.
Therefore the Master takes action
by letting things take their course.
He remains as calm
at the end as at the beginning.
He has nothing,
thus has nothing to lose.
What he desires is non-desire;
what he learns is to unlearn.
He simply reminds people
of who they have always been.
He cares about nothing but the Dao.
Thus he can care for all things.
Page 141
第 六 十 五 章
古 之 善 为 道 者 , 非 以 明 民 , 将 以 愚 之 。
民 之 难 治 , 以 其 智 多 。
故 以 智 治 国 , 国 之 贼 ﹔
不 以 智 治 国 , 国 之 福 。
知 此 两 者 亦 稽 式 。
常 知 稽 式 , 是 谓 「 玄 德 」 。
「 玄 德 」 深 矣 , 远 矣 , 与 物 反 矣 , 然 后 乃 至 大 顺 。
Page 142
Sixty Five The a