第 371 节
作者:
九米 更新:2021-02-19 21:31 字数:8811
who use them only when there is no choice;
for peace and stillness are dear to their hearts;
and victory causes them no rejoicing。
To rejoice in victory is to delight in killing;
to delight in killing is to have no self…being。
The conduct of war is that of a funeral;
when people are killed; it is a time of mourning。
This is why even victorious battle
should be observed without rejoicing。
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IF THE TAO WERE OBSERVED
The Tao is eternal; but does not have fame;
like the uncarved block; its worth seems small;
though its value to man is beyond all measure。
Were it definable; it could then be used
to obviate conflict; and the need
to teach the way of the Tao;
all men would abide in the peace of the Tao;
sweet dew would descend to nourish the earth。
When the Tao is divided;
there is a need for names;
for; like the block which is carved;
its parts then are seen。
By stopping in time
from torment and conflict;
strife is defeated; and danger averted。
The people then seek the wisdom of Tao;
just as all rivers flow to the great sea。
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WITHOUT FORCE: WITHOUT PERISHING
Knowledge frequently results
from knowing others;
but the man who is awakened;
has seen the uncarved block。
Others might be mastered by force;
but to master one's self
requires the Tao。
He who has many material things;
may be described as rich;
but he who knows he has enough;
and is at one with the Tao;
might have enough of material things;
and have self…being as well。
Will…power may bring perseverance;
but to have tranquility is to endure;
being protected for all his days。
He whose ideas remain in the world;
is present for all time。
34
WITHOUT CONTRIVING
All things may act; without exclusion;
according to the natural way;
which fulfills its purpose silently;
and with no claim。
Being an aspect of natural order;
it is not the ruler of any thing;
but remains the source of their nourishment。
It cannot be seen; it has no intention;
but all natural things rely on its presence。
When all things return to it;
it does not enslave them;
so unmanifested; its greatness prevails。
Modelling himself upon the Tao;
he who is wise; does not contrive;
but is content with what he achieves。
35
THE BENEVOLENT HOST
The wise man acts at one with the Tao;
for he knows it is here that peace is found。
It is for this reason that he is sought。
Whilst guests enjoy good music and food;
as these are supplied by a benevolent host;
a description of Tao seems without form;
for it cannot be heard and cannot be seen。
But when the music and food are all ended;
the taste of the Tao still remains。
36
OVERCOMING
It is the way of the Tao;
that things which expand might also shrink;
that he who is strong; will at some time be weak;
that he who is raised will then be cast down;
and that all men have a need to give;
and also have a need to receive。
The biggest fish stay deep in the pond;
and a country's best weapons
should be kept locked away。
That which is soft and supple;
may overcome the hard and strong。
37
THE EXERCISE OF LEADERSHIP
The way of nature is not contrived;
yet nothing which is required
is left undone。
Observing nature; the wise leader knows this;
and replaces desire with dispassion;
thus saving that energy; otherwise spent;
which has not been wasted away。
The wise leader knows
his actions must be
without the use of forced energy。
He knows that more
is still required;
for he also knows
that he must act
without deliberate intent;
of having no intention。
To act without contrived intent
is to act without contriving;
and is the way of nature;
and so is the way of the Tao。
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THE CONCERNS OF THE GREAT
A truly good man is unaware
of the good deeds he performs。
Conversely; a foolish man must try
continuously to be good。
A good man seems to do little or nought;
yet he leaves nothing undone。
A foolish man must always strive;
whilst leaving much undone。
The man who is truly wise and kind
leaves nothing to be done;
but he who only acts
according to his nation's law
leaves many things undone。
A disciplinarian wanting something done
rolls up his sleeves;
enforcing it with violence。
It may be that goodness still remains;
even when the natural way is lost;
and that kindness still exists
when goodness is forgotten。
It may be that justice still remains
when the people are no longer kind;
and when this is lost; that ritual still remains。
However; ritual may be performed
only as an act of faith;
and may be the beginning of confusion;
for even divination and the such
are but the flowery trappings of the Tao;
and are the beginning of great folly。
He who is truly great
does not upon the surface dwell;
but on what lies beneath。
It is said that the fruit is his concern;
rather than the flower。
Each must decide what it might be he seeks;
the flowery trapping;
which comes to summer fullness first;
or the fruit which is beneath。
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SUFFICIENCY AND QUIETNESS
From the principle which is called the Tao;
the sky; the earth; and creativity are one;
the sky is clear; the earth is firm;
and the spirit of the inner world is full。
When the ruler of the land is whole;
the nation too is strong; alive and well;
and the people have sufficient
to meet their earthly needs。
When the daytime sky is dark
and overcast like night;
the nation and its people
will surely suffer much。
The firmness of the dew filled earth
gives it its life;
the energy of the inner world
prevents its becoming drained of strength;
its fullness prevents it running dry。
The growth of all things
prevents their dying。
The work of the leader should ensure
the prosperity of the populace。
So it is said;
〃humility is the root
of great nobility;
the low forms a foundation
for the great;
and princes consider themselves
to be of little worth〃。
Each depends on humility therefore;
it is of no advantage to have too much success;
so do not sound loudly like jade bells;
nor clatter like stone chimes。
40
BEING AND NOT BEING
The motion of nature
is cyclic and returning。
Its way is to yield;
for to yield is to become。
All things are born of being;
being is born of non…being。
41
SAMENESS AND DIFFERENCE
On hearing of the Tao;
the wise student's practice is with diligence;
the average student attends to his practice
when his memory reminds him so to do;
and the foolish student laughs。
But we do well to remember
that with no sudden laughter;
there would be no natural way。
Thus it is said;
〃There are times when even brightness seems dim;
when progress seems like regression;
when the easy seems most difficult;
and virtue seems empty; inadequate and frail;
times when purity seems sullied;
when even reality seems unreal;
and when a square seems to have corners;
when even great talent is of no avail;
and the highest note cannot be heard;
when the formed seems formless;
and when the way of nature is out of sight〃。
Even in such times as these;
the natural way still nourishes;
that all things may be fulfilled。
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THE TRANSFORMATIONS OF THE TAO
The Tao existed before its name;
and from its name; the opposites evolved;
giving rise to three divisions;
and then to names abundant。
These things embrace receptively;
achieving inner harmony;
and by their unity create
the inner world of man。
No man wishes to be seen
as worthless in another's eyes;
but the wise leader describes himself this way;
for he knows that one may gain by losing;
and lose by gaining;
and that a violent man
will not die a natural death。
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AT ONE WITH TAO
Only the soft overcomes the hard;
by yielding; bringing it to peace。
Even where there is no space;
that which has no substance enters in。
Through these things is shown
the value of the natural way。
The wise man understands full well;
that wordless teaching can take place;
and that actions should occur
without the wish for self…advancement。
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SUFFICIENCY
A contented man knows himself to be
more precious even than fame;
and so; obscure; remains。
He who is more attached to wealth
than to himself;
suffers more heavily from