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 flows all around like a great river；
To the left and to the right it surrounds all。
It gives rise to all； and nourishes and clothes them； but lays no intention on control。
It is merged in all things； and hidden in their inner being；
Thus it may be termed small。
All things return to it at the end of life；
Thus it is called great。
The sage models himself after the Tao；
Unburdened； not striving； content with what is。
35
The wise seek solace in the Tao；
Wherever they go they find comfort and succor that may be extended to others who seek。
A feast with roasting foods and spirited music may detain a traveler。
But words speaking of the Tao seem bland and dull。
Looked for nothing will be seen；
Listened for； nothing will be heard。
But when you use it； it will never diminish。
36
It is the way of the Tao that：
To reduce the influence of something；
first allow it undue influence。
To reduce something； it must first be allowed to expand。
That which will be torn down； must first be raised up。
This is the subtle way the weak can overcome the strong。
A fish should not leave the water。
And one should not display ones weapons。
37
The Tao does not do anything purely for the sake of action。
Yet all it does is perfect and complete。
If the ruler of a land were to be able to center in the Tao；
all would work in accord and harmony。
People would be content with simple lives； free from desire and conflict。
38
True virtue is itself virtuous； and does not need to try to appear virtuous。
The common man may try to show the semblance of virtue； but this showing is in itself a revealing of the lack of virtue。
Those of high virtue never accomplish any act out of need for show； or ulterior motive。
The 'seemingly virtuous' will make a big show of the virtuous acts they perform。
A virtuous person will act according to what is right regardless of the situation at all times。
A common person will act according to the results he expects from the action； if the results are not to his benefit he will not do them。
A low person will act and expect response from others； if he does not secure his riches he will use force to extract it。
When the Tao is lost in a person or land one must resort to righteousness to rule society。
When righteousness is lost one has to use morality。
When morality has been abandoned there is only ritual to conduct society。
But ritual is only the outer clothing of true belief； this is nearing chaos。
39
In the beginning of being； there were those that attained harmony with the Tao。
Heaven attained harmony and became clear。
Earth attained harmony and found peace。
The ancients attained harmony and were replenished。
The valleys attained harmony and became fertile。
All of nature embraced harmony with the Tao and became fruitful。
The ancient Sage…Kings sought harmony with the Tao and became natural leaders。
Without the blessings of the Tao； heaven itself might be riven。
Without the glue of the Tao the Earth might shake apart。
Without the guiding of the Tao mankind's spirit becomes confused； and disharmonious。
If the blessings of the Tao were withheld the valleys would become parched and barren；
Nature would be reduced to meager remnants and finally disappear；
And the leaders would become corrupt and strive to bring conflict and war to nations。
Therefore； humility is the root and treasure of the great；
And all great things are built on the foundation of the lowly。
It is for this reason that the truly great think of themselves as 'unworthy'； 'abased' and 'low'； for are these not the root of humility？
Count and describe the parts of a chariot； but without being whole what is its use？
Don't glitter like jade； keep your riches in your heart； while retaining an outward appearance as simple and rugged as a common stone。
40
The Tao moves； and returns again。 It functions with a soft gentleness。
Its use is realized through humility and quiet softness。
All of creation is made from tangible being； Tao created all being from nothing。
41
When a deep person hears of the Tao； they study and put it into practice； embodying the practice of Tao in their life。
When a common person hears of the Tao； they half follow it； but half forget it in their daily life。
When a shallow person hears of the Tao； they laugh out loud。 If they did not laugh out loud it would not be the Way。
Thus it is that the wise sages said：
Those understanding the brightness of Tao seem dim；
Those who walk the Way of Tao seem to go backward；
Those walking the direct path of Tao seem to wander long。
This is because the brightest light voluntarily dims itself；
The highest virtue is as deep as a valley；
And the Tao in its straightness seems rough and difficult。
The greatest caution can seem as cowardice；
The most insightful clarity can seem as opacity；
The greatest square can seem to have no apparent corner。
The greatest wisdom seems unsophisticated；
And the greatest form has no shape。
The Tao is great but hidden；
It is known by all； but remains nameless；
Yet it is the Tao alone that gives rise to all； and completes all。
42
The Way creates one；
One gives birth to two；
Two gives rise to three；
And three produce all things。
All things are composed of yin and yang；
The proper blending of these attributes will ensure harmony。
The common man hates to be small； powerless and unworthy；
but this is how the masters describe themselves。
Thus it is that in gaining is oftentimes much lost；
And in the most profound loss can be found the most gain。
What others have taught I teach also； 'a violent man will lead himself to a violent death'；
This is the essence and cornerstone of my teachings。
43
The softest things in the world can with quietude； subtly and perfectly penetrate and wear away the hardest material。
Insubstantial； yielding； it enters where there is no place for entry。
From this one can see and value softness； subtlety； and non…action。
Yet few are the ones who can grasp the concept of teaching without words。
Nor are there many in the world who understand the great gains to be had by non…action。
44
Fame or integrity； which do you hold most dear？
Your wealth or your life； to which will you cling？
Gain or loss； which one increases your anxiety？
In fame and wealth and gain can be found the seeds of failure；
And in integrity and life and loss can be found the root of treasures。
Thus it is that a contented person is never ashamed of what they have；
Having self…restraint he can avoid trouble；
In this way he can endure long； and live contentedly。
45
The masters greatest perfection seems imperfect； yet when used it is inexhaustible；
The masters' greatest fullness appears empty； yet it can continue gi