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！
Listening； we do not hear it； we call it inaudible。
Groping； we do not grasp it； we call it subtile。
These three （properties） do not allow ultimate scrutiny； for indeed； merging； they become One。
Its rising is not bright； nor is its setting dark。 Branching out in shoots innumerable that cannot be defined； it returns again to nothingness。
This may be called giving shape to the shapeless； forming an image out of nothingness； this may be called a vague likeness。
We meet it； but do not see its front； we follow it； but do not see its back。
If； by seizing they Way of antiquity； we direct the existence of to…day； we may know the primordial beginning。 This may be called： （unravelling） the clue of the Way。
15
In olden times those skilful in the Way had wonderful subtlety and mysterious penetration； so profound that it is impossible to understand them。 Since； indeed； it is impossible to understand them； one can only try to the best of one's ability to describe their appearance。
How hesitant； like one who wades a stream in winter！
How circumspect； like one who fears his neighbours on all sides！
How reserved； like one who is a guest！
How fluid； like ice about to melt！
How solid； like uncarved wood！
How wide； like a valley！
How turbid； like muddy water！
What may allay the muddiness？ Through stillness it will gradually become clear。
What may make repose lasting？ Through movement it will gradually ensue。
Those who observed this Way did not desire to be full。 Indeed； because they were not full； they could wear out without renewal。
16
Attaining the utmost vacuity and earnestly observing quietness； while the ten thousand things all together are operating； I thus contemplate their return （to nothingness）。
Indeed； things flourish luxuriantly； each to return again to the root （from which it sprang）。 To return to the root is called stillness； this may be described as surrendering one's trust。
Surrendering one's trust is called the constant （law）。 He who knows this constant （law）； is called enlightened。 He who does not know this constant （law）； is foolishly active and comes to grief。 He who knows this constant （law） forbears； forbeairng； he is unprejudiced； unprejudiced； he is all…embracing； all…embracing； he is great； great； he （knows） the Way； （knowing） the Way； he lasts； until the end of his life he is not in peril。
17
In highest （antiquity） one did not even know there were （rulers）。
Next one loved them and praised them。
Next one feared them。
Next one despised them。
If good faith （of the prince towards the people） is inadequate； good faith （of the people towards the ruler） will be wanting。
Thoughtful were （the sage rulers）； valuing their words！
When the work was done and things ran smoothly； the people all said： 〃We have done it ourselves！〃
18
When the great Way declines； there is 〃humanity and justice〃。
When cleverness and knowledge appear； there is 〃great artificiality〃。
When the six degrees of kinship do not live in harmony； there are 〃filial sons〃。
When state and dynasty are plunged in disorder； there are 〃loyal ministers〃。
19
Abolish saintliness and reject knowledge： the people will benefit a hundredfold。
Abolish humanity and reject justice： The people will return to filial piety and maternal affection。
Abolish skill and reject profit： thieves and robbers will disappear。
（Lest） these three be considered as （mere） words which are inadequate； let there be something to hold on to。
Display natural simplicity and cling to artlessness： decrease selfishness and diminish desires。
20
Abolish study and you will be free from care。
〃What the distinction is between 'yea' and 'aye'〃； 〃what the difference is between 'good' and 'evil'〃； that 〃one should stand in awe of what others stand in awe of〃； … how vast （is the study of these things）！
There is no end to it！
But when all men are joyous as if celebrating the Great Sacrifice or climbing the heights in spring； then I alone； … so passive； … giving no sign； like an infant that has not yet smiles； … so forlorn； … like one who has nowhere to turn！ When all men have plenty； I alone am like one who is left out。
I have indeed the heart of a fool； … so obtuse！
Let ordinary men be bright and intelligent； I alone am stupid and confused。
Let ordinary men be astute and far…sighted； I alone am dull and mope…eyed。
Wan like the waning moon； adrift like one who has nowhere to rest！
Let all men have a purpose； I alone am ignorant like a boor。
I alone am different from others because I prize feeding on 〃the Mother〃。
21
The outward manifestations of the Grand Virtue proceed exclusively from the Way。
The Way is something utterly vague and intangible。 Though intangible and vague； latent in it are Images。 Though vague and intangible； latent in it are things。 Though impenetrable and obscure； latent in it is infallibility； so that； from of old till now； that name （〃Way〃） has not been discarded in describing the common origin。 How do I know the manner of this common origin？ From this。
22
What is bowed； becomes whole。
What is crooked； becomes straight。
What is hollow； becomes filled。
What is worn； becomes new。
He； who has little； acquires。
He； who has much； is deluded。
Therefore the Saint clings to the One and makes it into the measure of All…under…heaven。
He does not display himself； therefore he shines。
He does not assert himself； therefore he is manifest。
He does not boast； therefore he succeeds。
He does not feel conceit； therefore he becomes chief。
Indeed； just because he does not strive； in All…under…heaven there is none that can strive with him。
The old saying： 〃what is bowed； become whole〃； is surely not an empty word？ It implies all that is truly whole。
23
To be brief of word is the natural （course）。
For a whirlwind does not last all morning； nor does a rainstorm last all day。 Who is it that makes these？ Heaven and earth。 Now if even heaven and earth cannot make （such exuberance） lasting； how much less man！
Therefore he who follows the Way in his actions； identifies himself with the Way。 If he succeeds； he identifies himself with success； if he fails； he identifies himself with failure。
If he identifies himself with the Way； he rejoices on obtaining the Way。 IF he identifies himself with success； he likewise rejoices on obtaining success。 If he identifies himself with failure； he also rejoices on obtaining failure。
24
On tiptoe one does not stand。
Straddle…legged one does not go forward。
He who displays himself； shines not。
He who asserts himself； is not manifest。
He who boasts； succeeds not。
He who is conceited； does not become chief。
（Of such an attitude） in regard to the Way it may be said： 〃Superfluous food and redundant actions are loathed by all。 Therefore； he who has the Way； does not concern himself with them。〃
25
There was something in a state of fusion befor