04道德经英译本85种-第317节
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
The Tao goes in the level places；
but people prefer to take the short cuts。
If too much time is spent cleaning the house
the land will become neglected and full of weeds；
and the granaries will soon become empty
because there is no one out working the fields。
To wear fancy clothes and ornaments；
to have your fill of food and drink
and to waste all of your money buying possessions
is called the crime of excess。
Oh； how these things go against the way of the Tao！
54
That which is well built
will never be torn down。
That which is well latched
can not slip away。
Those who do things well
will be honored from generation to generation。
If this idea is cultivated in the individual；
then his virtue will become genuine。
If this idea is cultivated in your family；
then virtue in your family will be great。
If this idea is cultivated in your community；
then virtue will go a long way。
If this idea is cultivated in your country；
then virtue will be in many places。
If this idea is cultivated in the world；
then virtue will be with everyone。
Then observe the person for what the person does；
and observe the family for what it does；
and observe the community for what it does；
and observe the country for what it does；
and observe the world for what it does。
How do I know this saying is true？
I observe these things and see。
55
One who is filled with the Tao
is like a newborn child。
The infant is protected from
the stinging insects； wild beasts； and birds of prey。
Its bones are soft； its muscles are weak；
but its grip is firm and strong。
It doesn't know about the union
of male and female；
yet his penis can stand erect；
because of the power of life within him。
It can cry all day and never become hoarse。
This is perfect harmony。
To understand harmony is to understand the Constant。
To know the Constant is to be called 'enlightened'。
To unnaturally try to extend life is not appropriate。
To try and alter the life…breath is unnatural。
The master understands that when something reaches its prime
it will soon begin to decline。
Changing the natural is against the way of the Tao。
Those who do it will come to an early end。
56
Those who know do not talk。
Those who talk do not know。
Stop talking；
meditate in silence；
blunt your sharpness；
release your worries；
harmonize your inner light；
and become one with the dust。
Doing this is called the dark and mysterious identity。
Those who have achieved the mysterious identity
can not be approached； and they can not be alienated。
They can not be benefited nor harmed。
They can not be made noble nor to suffer disgrace。
This makes them the most noble of all under the heavens。
57
Govern your country with integrity；
Weapons of war can be used with great cunning；
but loyalty is only won by not…doing。
How do I know the way things are？
By these：
The more prohibitions you make；
the poorer people will be。
The more weapons you posses；
the greater the chaos in your country。
The more knowledge that is acquired；
the stranger the world will become。
The more laws that you make；
the greater the number of criminals。
Therefore the Master says：
I do nothing；
and people become good by themselves。
I seek peace；
and people take care of their own problems。
I do not meddle in their personal lives；
and the people become prosperous。
I let go of all my desires；
and the people return to the Uncarved Block。
58
If a government is unobtrusive；
the people become whole。
If a government is repressive；
the people become treacherous。
Good fortune has its roots in disaster；
and disaster lurks with good fortune。
Who knows why these things happen；
or when this cycle will end？
Good things seem to change into bad；
and bad things often turn out for good。
These things have always been hard to comprehend。
Thus the Master makes things change
without interfering。
She is probing yet causes no harm。
Straightforward； yet does not impose her will。
Radiant； and easy on the eye。
59
There is nothing better than moderation
for teaching people or serving Heaven。
Those who use moderation
are already on the path to the Tao。
Those who follow the Tao early
will have an abundance of virtue。
When there is an abundance of virtue；
there is nothing that can not be done。
Where there is limitless ability；
then the kingdom is within your grasp。
When you know the Mother of the kingdom；
then you will be long enduring。
This is spoken of as the deep root and the firm trunk；
the Way to a long life and great spiritual vision。
60
Governing a large country
is like frying small fish。
Too much poking spoils the meat。
When the Tao is used to govern the world
then evil will lose its power to harm the people。
Not that evil will no longer exist；
but only because it has lost its power。
Just as evil can lose its ability to harm；
the Master shuns the use of violence。
If you give evil nothing to oppose；
then virtue will return by itself。
61
A large country should take the low place like a great watershed；
which from its low position assumes the female role。
The female overcomes the male by the power of her position。
Her tranquility gives rise to her humility。
If a large country takes the low position；
it will be able to influence smaller countries。
If smaller countries take the lower position；
then they can allow themselves to be influenced。
So both seek to take the lower position
in order to influence the other； or be influenced。
Large countries should desire to protect and help the people；
and small countries should desire to serve others。
Both large and small countries benefit greatly from humility。
62
The Tao is the tabernacle of creation；
it is a treasure for those who are good；
and a place of refuge for those who are not。
How can those who are not good be abandoned？
Words that are beautiful are worth much；
but good behavior can only be learned by example。
When a new leader takes office；
don't give him gifts and offerings。
These things are not as valuable
as teaching him about the Tao。
Why was the Tao esteemed by the ancient Masters？
Is it not said： 〃With it we find without looking。
With it we find forgiveness for our transgressions。〃
That is why the world can not understand it。
63
Act by not acting；
do by not doing。
Enjoy the plain and simple。
Find that greatness in the small。
Take care of difficult problems
while they are still easy；
Do easy things before they become too hard。
Difficult problems are best solved while they are easy。
Great projects are best started while they are small。
The Master never takes on more than she can handle；
which means that she leaves nothing undone。
When an affirmation is given too lightly；
keep your eyes open for trouble ahead。
When something seems too easy；
difficulty is hiding in the details。
The master expects great difficulty；
so the task is always easier than planned。
64
Things are easier to control while things are quiet。
Things are easier to plan far in advance。
Things break easier while they are still brittle。
Things are easier hid while they are still small。
Prevent problems before they arise。
Take action before things get out of hand。
The tallest tree
begins as a tiny sprout。
The tallest building
starts with one shovel of dirt。
A journey of a thousand miles
starts with a single footstep。
If you rush into action； you will fail。
If you hold on too tight； you will lose your grip。
Therefore the Master lets things take their course
and thus never fails。
She doesn't hold on to things
and never loses them。
By pursing your goals too relentlessly；
you let them slip away。
If you are as concerned about the outcome
as you are about the beginning；
then it is hard to do things wrong。
The master seeks no possessions。
She learns by unlearning；
thus she is able to understand all things。
This gives her the ability to help all of creation。
65
The ancient Masters
who understood the way of the Tao；
did not educate people； but made them forget。
Smart people are difficult to guide；
because they think they are too clever。
To use cleverness to rule a country；
is to lead the country to ruin。
To avoid cleverness in ruling a country；
is to lead the country to prosperity。
Knowing the two alternatives is
