04道德经英译本85种-第111节
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Since the spirits and the Sage do not cause harm； all will be in balance。
61
The great country may be compared to a low…lying lake where many rivers converge；
it is the mixing place of the world； the reservoir of all under heaven。。。 the Feminine of the world。
Femininity always overcomes Masculinity； by stillness；
her tranquility gives rise to her humility。
Thus it is that the great country can win over the small country by this practicing of stillness and humility。
And the small state by the practice of humility and deference to the large country can gain the large country and become one with it。
So it is said that by practice of quiescence and humility the great can absorb and conquer the small without effort；
and the small and insignificant can gain riches and treasure by submitting to the great。
The great state wishes to keep and nourish its people； and help others。
The small state wishes to help its people by joining with the peace and strength of the larger state。
Both states get what they wish by submitting。
Greatness lies in placing oneself below。
62
The Way is sanctuary： the mysterious secret of the universe。
It is the treasure of peaceful people and the bad man's refuge。
Honors can be bought with flattery and fine words；
admiration can be procured through good deeds。
But the Tao does not abandon even the sinner。
Therefore when the Emperor is crowned； and the three ministers appointed；
do not offer gifts of jade and fine horses； offer instead the lessons and learning of the Tao。
Why is it the ancient Masters esteemed the Tao？
It is because one who looked for it could find it。
And the guilty find forgiveness through it。
For these reasons it is truly the treasure of the world。
63
The Tao can accomplish much without interfering；
it can achieve without forcing；
it can taste the tasteless。
Large or small； many or few；
repay hatred and injury with virtue and compassion。
Accomplish the hard task while it is still easy。
Handle large affairs while they are still small。
For even the most difficult and large of tasks and affairs have a point where they are still easy and small。
Thus it is that the Master never does anything hard or large；
yet he is able to accomplish a great many things。
A rashly made promise oftentimes is not carried through。
And those who think all will be easy do not prepare； and find the way difficult。
So the sage regards all things as being difficult； he prepares；
thus it is that he experiences less difficulty with them。
64
Peace and tranquility are easy to hold onto and keep。
It is best to deal with matters before they present themselves。
What is brittle shatters easily。
What is small is easy to disperse。
Deal with troubles before they have arisen。
Establish order before disorder has reared itself。
A large tree grows from a small twig。
A terrace nine levels high starts with a clod of earth。
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step。
If you rush into action heedlessly you will rush into your own failure。
If you try to grasp things you will lose your grip。
Therefore the sage does not try to rush to completion； and he does not grasp all about for things。
In this way he avoids failure and losing。
Often people fail in their endeavors on the verge of completion；
this is because they exercise care at the beginning； and then slacken near the end。
Take as full care of tasks at the end as at the beginning； this will ensure proper completion。
Therefore the sage desires nothing so much as to be free from desire。
He does not treasure things that are difficult to procure。
He learns to not know。
He practices a return to the natural origin of all things without a practice to that end。
65
The ancient practitioners of the Tao did not try to educate or enlighten the people；
they led them instead to a return to a natural simplicity。
The more sophisticated the people； the harder it is to control and rule them。
It follows also that a clever ruler can be a scourge to his nation。
Therefore it is a blessing to the nation and the people if the rulers and the people alike are simple；
unsophisticated； and full of the virtue of the Tao。
To know these two things is to have a rule and a model to guide oneself； and to guide the nation。
And to understand the rule and the model is to be practicing the mystical virtue。
This deep and profound mystical virtue is so far reaching；
it causes all things to return to the source of harmony。
66
The great rivers and streams all pour their tribute of the world onto the seas。
The seas gain this tribute and are called high and mighty because they lie low； humility gives the sea its power。
It is for this reason that the followers of Tao humble themselves before mankind。
They speak in tones of humility and lowborn status。
They do not attempt to lead； but learn to follow； and find themselves leading the people from behind。
In this way the wise sovereign will rule over the people； but they will not feel his weight。
He will lead the people； but they will not feel slighted or displeased。
The people will gladly uphold and support such a one as this。
The master does not strive； in this way no one can strive against him。
67
Many in the world acknowledge the greatness of Tao；
but since it is so vast and far…reaching its greatness is difficult to comprehend。
But as it has been examined and studied for so long； if it were not so great it would long ago have seemed smaller。
I have three great treasures that I cherish and hold fast to。
The first is compassion。
The second is simplicity；
And the third is not trying to be first in anything。
Having compassion I can demonstrate the noblest of courage。
With simple thinking and methods I am able to easily see the heart of things。
And daring to not be first in anything； I can develop my abilities to the situation and accomplish much。
But courage without compassion leads to death；
looking deep into matters without simplicity will bog one down；
and developing ones abilities without taking the time to allow them to adequately mature will result in immature actions。
But all who exhibit compassion in all matters will find their way guarded by the Tao。
Even the mighty warrior will find compassion to be his greatest ally。
Those whom heaven wishes to help are naturally provided with compassion； this is your greatest treasure。
68
The best warrior does not give free reign to violence。
The most skillful fighter will not let anger cloud his mind。
The skilful tactician wins without a battle。
A great commander overcomes men by placing himself below them。
This is known as the 'virtue of not striving'。
It is also called the ability to manage others。
This is regarded as the earthly embodiment of the way of Heaven。
69
The military veteran has a saying； 〃rather then rushing in； it is better to wait to see what they will do〃。
They also say： 〃Rather than advancing an inch at great cost； it is better to retreat a foot and spare life〃。
This is advancing without wasting energy； effort and life。
It is like pushing back without using force。
Its semblance is that of engaging the enemy without actually invading them。
Surely there is no greater calamity in war than that of thinking too little of your enemy。
Underestimating him can lead to disaster and the loss of the three treasures of compassion；
economy and the desire not to be first。
When opposing armies clash in the field； the victory will go to the one with compassion for the people；
both his and the enemy's。
He who has the greatest economy in the use of all things will be able to better maintain the expenses of marches and provisions。
The desire not to be first will result in calculating actions； and the deferral of reckless abandon。
70
My words are very easy to understand。
My teachings are very simple to put into everyday practice。
Yet no one who is tied to the world can understand them。
And if you are chained to the world； you cannot apply them in your life。
My doctrine comes from the source of Nature； my actions have a purpose in accord with the Law。
If you cannot understand this； you cannot understand me。
Because I cannot be understood I am a greater treasure than you know。
This is why the sage wears simple unpretentious clothes；
but his treasures are kept close to him； in his heart。
71
To know that you do not know is the wisest and healthiest thing。
To think you know when you do not can be likened to an illness。
First you must rid yourself of the thought that you know； and then you are on the way to healing。
The sage does not have this sickness； he realizes that he does not know； therefore his sickness has vanished。
72
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