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！
If you treat it like an object； you'll lose it。
There is a time for being ahead；
a time for being behind；
a time for being in motion；
a time for being at rest；
a time for being vigorous；
a time for being exhausted；
a time for being safe；
a time for being in danger。
The Master sees things as they are；
without trying to control them。
She lets them go their own way；
and resides at the center of the circle。
30
Whoever relies on the Tao in governing men
doesn't try to force issues
or defeat enemies by force of arms。
For every force there is a counterforce。
Violence； even well intentioned；
always rebounds upon oneself。
The Master does his job
and then stops。
He understands that the universe
is forever out of control；
and that trying to dominate events
goes against the current of the Tao。
Because he believes in himself；
he doesn't try to convince others。
Because he is content with himself；
he doesn't need others' approval。
Because he accepts himself；
the whole world accepts him。
31
Weapons are the tools of violence；
all decent men detest them。
Weapons are the tools of fear；
a decent man will avoid them
except in the direst necessity
and； if compelled； will use them
only with the utmost restraint。
Peace is his highest value。
If the peace has been shattered；
how can he be content？
His enemies are not demons；
but human beings like himself。
He doesn't wish them personal harm。
Nor does he rejoice in victory。
How could he rejoice in victory
and delight in the slaughter of men？
He enters a battle gravely；
with sorrow and with great compassion；
as if he were attending a funeral。
32
The Tao can't be perceived。
Smaller than an electron；
it contains uncountable galaxies。
If powerful men and women
could remain centered in the Tao；
all things would be in harmony。
The world would become a paradise。
All people would be at peace；
and the law would be written in their hearts。
When you have names and forms；
know that they are provisional。
When you have institutions；
know where their functions should end。
Knowing when to stop；
you can avoid any danger。
All things end in the Tao
as rivers flow into the sea。
33
Knowing others is intelligence；
knowing yourself is true wisdom。
Mastering others is strength；
mastering yourself is true power。
If you realize that you have enough；
you are truly rich。
If you stay in the center
and embrace death with your whole heart；
you will endure forever。
34
The great Tao flows everywhere。
All things are born from it；
yet it doesn't create them。
It pours itself into its work；
yet it makes no claim。
It nourishes infinite worlds；
yet it doesn't hold on to them。
Since it is merged with all things
and hidden in their hearts；
it can be called humble。
Since all things vanish into it
and it alone endures；
it can be called great。
It isn't aware of its greatness；
thus it is truly great。
35
She who is centered in the Tao
can go where she wishes； without danger。
She perceives the universal harmony；
even amid great pain；
because she has found peace in her heart。
Music or the smell of good cooking
may make people stop and enjoy。
But words that point to the Tao
seem monotonous and without flavor。
When you look for it； there is nothing to see。
When you listen for it； there is nothing to hear。
When you use it； it is inexhaustible。
36
If you want to shrink something；
you must first allow it to expand。
If you want to get rid of something；
you must first allow it to flourish。
If you want to take something；
you must first allow it to be given。
This is called the subtle perception
of the way things are。
The soft overcomes the hard。
The slow overcomes the fast。
Let your workings remain a mystery。
Just show people the results。
37
The Tao never does anything；
yet through it all things are done。
If powerful men and women
could venter themselves in it；
the whole world would be transformed
by itself； in its natural rhythms。
People would be content
with their simple； everyday lives；
in harmony； and free of desire。
When there is no desire；
all things are at peace。
38
The Master doesn't try to be powerful；
thus he is truly powerful。
The ordinary man keeps reaching for power；
thus he never has enough。
The Master does nothing；
yet he leaves nothing undone。
The ordinary man is always doing things；
yet many more are left to be done。
The kind man does something；
yet something remains undone。
The just man does something；
and leaves many things to be done。
The moral man does something；
and when no one responds
he rolls up his sleeves and uses force。
When the Tao is lost； there is goodness。
When goodness is lost； there is morality。
When morality is lost； there is ritual。
Ritual is the husk of true faith；
the beginning of chaos。
Therefore the Master concerns himself
with the depths and not the surface；
with the fruit and not the flower。
He has no will of his own。
He dwells in reality；
and lets all illusions go。
39
In harmony with the Tao；
the sky is clear and spacious；
the earth is solid and full；
all creature flourish together；
content with the way they are；
endlessly repeating themselves；
endlessly renewed。
When man interferes with the Tao；
the sky becomes filthy；
the earth becomes depleted；
the equilibrium crumbles；
creatures become extinct。
The Master views the parts with compassion；
because he understands the whole。
His constant practice is humility。
He doesn't glitter like a jewel
but lets himself be shaped by the Tao；
as rugged and common as stone。
40
Return is the movement of the Tao。
Yielding is the way of the Tao。
All things are born of being。
Being is born of non…being。
41
When a superior man hears of the Tao；
he immediately begins to embody it。
When an average man hears of the Tao；
he half believes it； half doubts it。
When a foolish man hears of the Tao；
he laughs out loud。
If he didn't laugh；
it wouldn't be the Tao。
Thus it is said：
The path into the light seems dark；
the path forward seems to go back；
the direct path seems long；
true power seems weak；
true purity seems tarnished；
true steadfastness seems changeable；
true clarity seems obscure；
the greatest are seems unsophisticated；
the greatest love seems indifferent；
the greatest wisdom seems childish。