04道德经英译本85种-第233节
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its depth does not obscure。
It is infinite and beyond human terms；
collapsing in upon itself as it began。
Matter within vacuum
forms within the formless。
Facing it there is no front
behind it there is no back。
Knowing the past；
move with the present。
To know the past
of the universe
is to become
its essence。
15
Wise people
are so very subtle； deep； penetrating and mysterious
that they are
too profound to be understood。
Because they cannot be understood
one can only try to describe them。
They are
cautious； like a cat entering a strange house
alert； like a person walking through a strange city at midnight
reserved； like an invited guest
yielding； like lake ice in the spring
simple； like a block of wood
spacious； like night on the plains
obscure； like a muddied stream。
Can you wait quietly
or the muddy to become clear？
Can you calm yourself
in order to later become active？
Following the path of natural atheism
one has no desire for heaven or to believe。
When a person is not swayed by desire or belief；
one is able to remain one with the universe
without changing。
16
Sit next to the void
become empty
quiet and still
at peace。
Years go by
you contemplate your return。
You see the years；
they shrink and return。
Everything returns to its origin。
This return to origin is called stillness；
stillness is called accepting the natural laws of the universe。
Accepting the way of the universe
is enlightenment。
Not to know the nature of the universe is to wander aimlessly。
Knowing； one has room for everyone and everything。
Having room for all； one is without prejudice。
Without prejudice； one can be a leader。
To lead is to be of the earth。
To be of the earth is to be one with nature。
Being one with nature
is to be transformed。
Though the body falls
nothing is destroyed。
17
A master's existence
is rarely known。
A good person's presence
is widely known
and praised and imitated。
A person who collects power
scares others and makes them fearful； small and hateful。
Without total trust
there is no trust。
Better to have
no trust
and accept everything。
Without talking…about
without writing…about
a master takes action。
When it is done
everyone says
it just happened
naturally。
18
When nature is forgotten and abandoned；
goodness； justice and morality are created；
and theisms flourish。
When intelligence and knowledge appear；
great advertising campaigns are created；
and religions compete。
When partners and family members are not at peace
they begin talking about relationships and
duties and responsibilities
and spiritual needs。
When there is tension； distrust；
and revolution
in a community；
we hear calls for
loyal followers。
19
Give up knowledge and wisdom
give up tests and degrees
and it will be a better for everyone。
Renounce kindness； morality； and justice；
and people will return to love and mercy。
Get rid of professionalism； eliminate profit； give up luxuries；
and theft and embezzlement will disappear。
If this advice is too complicated
then follow
simplicity
selflessness
and the lessening of desires。
20
Give up morality and social conventions
and be free of your problems。
What is really the difference between social classes？
Is it like the difference between good and bad？
between theism and atheism？
〃That's the way it's always been done〃
〃Everybody else is doing it〃
how artificial！
Everyone else is happy
celebrating the sacrifice of the lamb or the Son
or going to the opening party。
Yet I am alone and motionless
like a baby that has yet to smile
like an old man on a park bench。
Everyone else has more than enough to eat and
pay the rent and dream and take trips；
I alone have nothing。
My mind is so confused；
I must be stupid。
Everyone else can see the light；
I alone am blind。
Everyone else is happy and well…adjusted；
I alone am depressed。
Yet I am in motion like the bottom cycles of the ocean tides；
like flotsam and jetsam； never to rest。
Everyone else has a career or a job；
I alone am useless。
But I am also different from everyone else；
because the earth itself feeds me。
21
The universe acts only according to the laws of nature
even though such laws may seem chaotic and elusive。
Chaotic
still there are patterns。
Elusive
still there is life。
Mysterious and obscure
still it contains the essential。
Power that is immeasurable
still is true and active
from before the beginning
til after the end；
through the next beginning and ending。
How do any of us know this？
Look inside。
22
Be less to become more
become broken to remain whole
bend like the grass to stand tall
be empty to receive
be used to become new
have little to gain more。
Those who have much
will not understand。
Wise persons
hold fast to the natural ways
as a standard for use by all。
Reclusive； yet known by all
unassertive； yet respected by all
modest； yet praised by all
ambitionless； yet followed by all。
Do not argue
and no one will argue with you。
These sayings；
〃To remain whole； be twisted；〃 or
〃Yield and overcome；〃 or
〃Blessed are the meek； for they shall inherit the earth；〃
are not idle words。
It is the way of the earth。
23
Silence is our natural state。
Tornadoes don't last all afternoon； nor rainstorms all day。
Stars collapse and planets decay。
Does somebody create these things？
No。
It is the nature of universe。
And if neither the universe nor the earth
can make something last forever； how can humanity？
So it is that those who use natural law as their teacher
will be at one with nature and the universe。
Truth to truth； power to power。
Let go of truth or power； and both will let go of you；
weakness to weakness。
For those who take the path of natural law；
nature is always giving。
For those who take the path of human order and control；
disorder and chaos will be everywhere。
As you trust in the universe
so will you be trusted by others。
24
On tiptoes
I am not steady。
With long strides
I do not walk the fastest or the farthest。
Looking around to see who can be seen
is blindness。
Making myself the center of attention
I am lost。
Judging others
I find myself lacking。
With great claims and projects
I will accomplish nothing。
Pride will bring me a future
in which no one knows who I am。
In nature such traits
are excessive and wasteful。
They rot the person。
Natural beings
avoid them。
25
Even before the earth and the sky existed；
there was already something
something not material； something silent。
Something free dependent on nothing； being nothing in itself；
empty and silent； everywhere yet unchanging and inexhaustible。
What was there before the Big Bang？
One can think of it as the pre…origin of the universe；
or god or goddess； or natural law； or physics。
Still； it really has no name。
The way； or the Dao； is simply the nickname I give it。
If I felt compelled to call it something else；
I'd call it 〃great〃 because it extends forever
and in going on forever；
it returns back to itself。
The Dao is great； so is the sky； the earth；
and also the human being。
In the universe there are four great things；
and humanity is one of them。
Humanity follows the nature of the earth；
earth follows the nature of the sky；
the sky follows the nature of the Dao；
and the Dao follows its own way naturally。
26
Gravity is the basis for judging what is light。
Stasis is the basis for judging activity。
So it is that when wise people travel
they don't stray far from the vehicle。
Even though everything about may be breathtaking；
a wise one
sits
quietly
and peacefully。
Responsibility requires
focus and calm。
One who takes oneself too lightly
loses touch
with the foundation
and ground of being。
One who becomes too active
loses touch
with reality。
27
The best walkers leave no trail
the best speakers neither slip nor offend
the best accountants need no calculator
the safest places have no bolts or locks；
the best friendships have no need of vows or promises；
yet they cannot be broken
the best theology has no god or heaven
yet everyon
