第 472 节
作者:九米      更新:2021-02-19 21:32      字数:8863
  They were deferential; as if dealing with strangers。
  They were self…effacing; like snow beneath the sun。
  They were unpretentious; like unpolished wood。
  They were lowly; like an expansive valley。
  They were opaque; like water mixed with soil。
  It is only by leaving the soil to settle; that the water becomes clear of itself。
  It is only from unimpeded activity; that the condition of rest can ensue。
  Those who follow the way of Tao; have no need to be replenished。
  And because they are ever renewed; they can never be exhausted。
  〃Sameness and Difference。〃
  When the person of higher wisdom hears Tao; diligently he follows it。
  When the person of lower wisdom hears Tao; he both follows and departs from it。
  When the person bereft of wisdom hears Tao; he but treats it with derision。
  If it were not thus; It would be unworthy of the name of Tao。
  Those who are enlightened by Tao seem wrapped in outer darkness。
  Those who are advanced in Tao; seem backward。
  Those who walk through Tao; seem to be on a rugged broken path。
  The highest virtue appears the lowliest。
  The whitest purity does not please the eyes。
  The fullest Teh seems incomplete。
  The deepest virtue seems unstable。
  The surest truth seems uncertain。
  The greatest square seems without corners。
  The largest vessel seems unfinished。
  The loudest sound seems inaudible。
  The grandest form seems void of shape。
  For in Tao alone can things begin: by Tao alone can they reach their destined end。
  〃Contrary to the Worldly。〃
  Renounce vain learning; it withdraws from the Inner Life。
  How slight is the difference between the yes and the no。
  But how great is the distinction of the good and the bad。
  What all people fear; is indeed to be feared。
  How great is their desolation!
  Alas! That the barrenness of the age has not yet reached its limit。
  Yet the multitude of people seem happy; so happy; as though partaking of great feasts; as though mounted on a tower in the springtime。
  I alone am still; and give as yet no sign of joy; like a new born babe that cannot smile at its mother。
  I alone am forsaken; as one who has nowhere to lay their head。
  Other people have enough and to spare; I alone seem as one who has lost all that he had。
  How foolish and empty am I: so dull and so foolish。
  Other people appear full of light。 I alone seem wrapped in darkness。
  Other people are all alert; I alone seem listless。
  I am as homeless as the vast ocean; rolling on and never resting。
  Other people all have their gifts; I alone seem without power and devoid of any merit。
  Yet lonely though I am and unlike other people;
  still I revere and seek the Mother…Deep; the All…sustaining Tao。
  English_WorldPeace_TTK
  Das Tao Te King von Lao Tse
  English interpretation by
  John WorldPeace; 1997
  1
  The infinity that can be conceived is not the
  everlasting Infinity。
  The infinity that can be described is not the
  perpetual Infinity。
  The inconceivable indescribable is the essence
  of the all encompassing Infinite。
  Conceiving and describing applies only to the
  manifestations of Infinity。
  Free from distinctions; experience the oneness of
  Infinity。
  Focus on distinctions and see only the
  manifestations
  of Infinity。
  Yet distinction and non…distinction are one within
  Infinity。
  Potential within potential is
  the essence of Infinity。
  2
  Only when one distinguishes beauty
  does one create the unattractive。
  Only when one distinguishes good
  does one create evil。
  Also by distinction;
  Tangible and intangible create each other;
  Difficult and easy define each other;
  Long and short measure each other;
  High and low determine each other;
  Sound and silence echo each other;
  Beginning and end follow each other。
  Therefore; the sage goes about living in the
  oneness of
  all things;
  teaching without speaking;
  accepting and dismissing all things with
  indifference;
  creating without attachment;
  working without credit。
  Acts and deeds are completed and forgotten。
  Because the sage is at one with Infinity;
  she is immortal。
  3
  Exalting people creates the desire in others
  to be exalted and therefore creates tension。
  Overvaluing goods creates the desire for
  ownership
  and therefore creates the temptation to
  steal。
  When people do not distinguish things as valuable;
  they remain focused on the oneness of all
  things
  and do not become confused in the material
  world。
  Therefore; harmonious leaders empty the people's
  minds
  but nourish their bodies。
  They undermine desires
  and improve endurance。
  They keep the people focused on their oneness with
  Infinity
  and free them from attachments to material
  things。
  They redirect the energies of those
  who would manipulate others。
  If you remember your oneness with Infinity;
  and flow with life by refusing to distinguish
  good and bad;
  you will flow in the peace and harmony
  that is the essence of Infinity。
  4
  Infinity is an empty vessel enveloping all
  manifestations;
  yet it can never be filled。
  It is the potential of all things tangible and
  intangible。
  It blunts the sharp and hones the blunt;
  unravels knots and binds all things;
  dulls the glare and shines the mundane;
  manifests the dust and clears the air。
  It is the essence of all things。
  No one can comprehend its origin。
  It is older than the concept of God。
  5
  Heaven and earth are indifferent。
  All creatures are considered straw dogs;
  not distinguished; not judged。
  The sage is indifferent。
  All people are one;
  not distinguished; not judged。
  Infinity is like a bellows;
  empty yet encompassing the potential
  of all things。
  In time all potentials manifest。
  Words are straw in the wind。
  The more one talks; the less one says。
  Keep focused on Infinity。
  Remain centered in the oneness of
  all things。
  6
  The manifestations of Infinity never cease
  manifesting。
  Infinity is the primal creator; the oneness of male
  and female。
  Infinity is the gate though which heaven
  and earth manifested。
  It is invisible to the senses;
  yet totally permeates all things。
  It is inexhaustible and eternally available
  for any purpose。
  7
  Heaven and earth will pass away
  but Infinity endures forever。
  It had no beginning and so It can never end。
  It is the inexhaustible essence of all things。
  Because the sage remains behind
  in her oneness with all things;
  she anticipates all manifestations。
  Being at one with Infinity;
  she is indifferent。
  Because she does not distinguish herself from
  other beings;
  she is completely fulfilled。
  8
  Water is like Infinity;
  it gives itself to all things
  without distinction or judgment
  and settles into the lowest places
  without deliberation。
  In dwelling; live in harmony with the land。
  In meditation; remember your oneness with the
  Infinite。
  In dealing with others; do not judge。
  In communicating; relate the truth。
  In governing; be fair。
  In daily life; be in harmony with all things
  and at peace with all people。
  In action; be mindful that there is a time
  and a season for all things。
  Avoid judging and its legacy contention
  and flow in the peace and harmony
  of the oneness of humanity。
  9
  Fill anything to the brim and the contents will spill
  out。
  Hone a sharpened blade and it will become blunt。
  Accumulate great wealth; but be aware that you
  cannot keep it。
  When a task is complete; move on。
  Change is the harmony of Infinity。
  10
  Manifesting body; mind and spirit;
  can you stay centered in the oneness of
  Infinity?
  Fully manifesting and remaining flexible;
  can you experience all manifestations
  as a newborn baby?
  Can you maintain the Infinite vision of oneness
  by ignoring distinctions。
  Remaining centered in oneness and leading others;
  can you avoid manifesting arrogance?
  Entering and exiting the gates of manifestations;
  can you harmonize with Infinity?
  Realizing your oneness with Infinity;
  can you flow in harmony with It
  by indifferently allowing things to come and
  go?
  Can you create and sustain things;
  and yet remain unattached to them?
  Can you work in harmony with all things;
  without desiring acknowledgment for your
  deeds?
  Exemplifying oneness;
  flowing in peace and harmony;
  not distinguishing; not judging;
  is the nature of Infinity。
  11
  Thirty spokes converge on the wheel's hub。
  But the center ho