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。
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  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。
  38
  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。
  39
  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。
  42
  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。
  43
  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。
  44
  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