道德經-中英(3)

宏泓道者

無為第 三 十 七 章   第 三 十 七講 人民的自然歸化

道 常 無 為 而 無 不 為 。 侯 王 若 能 守 ， 萬物 將 自 化 ； 化 而 欲 作 ， 吾 將 鎮 之 以 無 名 之 樸 ； 無 名 之 樸 ， 亦 將 不 欲 ； 不 欲 以 靜 ， 天 下 將 自 正。
　
Chapter 37
People’s Natural Transformation
Tao being non-active
Yet through it everything is done
If the ruler can keep the TAO
All things will grow and transform naturally
Should such growth and transformation become an object of passion?
I would restrain it by nameless original simplicity
This can curb the desires of men
When the desires or passions are curbed, there will peace and quietude
And the world will be peaceful and in order

處厚章第 三 十 八 章  第 三 十 八講 道德為上 仁義次之

上 德 不 德 ， 是 以 有 德 ； 下 德 不 失 德 ，是 以 無 德 。 上 德 無 為 而 無 以 為 ， 下 德 為 之 而 有 以 為 。 上 仁 為 之 而 無 以 為 。 上 義 為 之 而 有 以 為。 上 禮 為 之 而 莫 之 應 ， 則 攘 臂 而 仍 之 。 故 失 道 而 後 德 ， 失 德 而 後 仁 ， 失 仁 而 後 義 ， 失 義 而 後禮 。 夫 禮 者 ， 忠 信 之 薄 而 亂 之 首 也 ； 前 識 者 ， 道 之 華 而 愚 之 始 也 。 是 以 大 丈 夫 處 其 厚 ， 不 處其 薄 ； 居 其 實 ， 不 居 其 華 。 故 去 彼 取 此 。
　
Chapter 38
Tao and virtue being the best: benevolence and righteousness being the second
A man if highest virtue, after doing a lot of good things, will not display them and claim credit
His virtue is real
A main of lower virtue, after doing something good, will show off and claim merit
His virtue is considered not perfect
The man of highest virtue acts in accord with “doctrine of Nature’ Tao
Without any ulterior motive
The man of lower virtue acts with ulterior motive
The most benevolent person acts, without ant motive for he has a purified mind
The righteous person sometimes acts without real understanding the nature of Tao
Therefore his performance is considered on occasion having motive
Those having highest sense of propriety ac and show its performance but find no response from others
Then they would try to do it with force of arm
Therefore
After Tao is lost them comes to the doctrine of virtue
After virtue is lost, then comes to the doctrine of benevolence
After benevolence is lost, then comes to the doctrine of righteousness
After righteousness is lost, then comes to the doctrine of propriety
Now propriety is only husk of loyalty and faith
It is the beginning leading to disorder
Keeping on argument with mundane knowledge without knowing the true self or the Nature is just flowering of TAO
This is the origin of stupidity and blind followers of Taoism
Therefore the great noble man manages affairs in accord with Tao in top priority
Then comes next to handle affairs with benevolence and righteousness
Then he considers what is fundamental
And disregards what is superficial and flowery
Therefore he prefers to what is inner (purity of mind) to what is outer

得一第 三 十 九 章  第 三 十 九講 道的根本

昔 之 得 一 者 ： 天 得 一 以 清 ， 地 得 一 以靈 ， 神 得 一 以 寧 ， 谷 得 一 以 盈 ， 萬 物 得 一 以 生 ， 侯 王 得 一 以 為 天 下 貞 ， 其 致 之 一 也 。 天 無 以清 ， 將 恐 裂 ， 地 無 以 寧 ， 將 恐 發 ； 神 無 以 靈 ， 將 恐 歇 ； 谷 無 以 盈 ， 將 恐 竭 ； 萬 物 無 以 生 。 將恐 滅 ； 侯 王 無 以 貞 貴 高 ， 將 恐 蹙 。 故 貴 以 賤 為 本 ， 高 以 下 為 基 。 侯 王 自 謂 孤 、 寡 不 榖 。 此 其以 賤 為 本 也 ？ 非 乎 ？ 故 致 數 車 無 車 。 不 欲 琭 琭 如 玉 ， 落 落 如 石 。
　
Chapter 39
The Root of Tao
In ancient time there were those acquiring the Oneness (Tao)
With oneness, the Heaven is clear
With oneness, the Earth is Stable
With oneness, the deities having spiritual power
With oneness, the valleys were made full
With oneness, all creatures and things could live and grow
With oneness, the rulers can rule the world with justice and peace
All creatures and things having close relationship with oneness (Tao)
Without clarity, the heaven will break
Without stability, the Earth will have disasters like earthquakes and flood
Without spiritual power, the deities may lose their mythical abilities
Without being filled, the valleys would dry up
Without this ceaseless power and energy all things might no longer live
Without justice and humanity to rule, the ruler may face downfall
Truly speaking, humility is the root which nobility or greatness grow
And the nobility or greatness must be built from the foundation of the lower
That is why the rulers call themselves; the worthless and lonely ones’
Is it a proof to show that they are in need of the support from ordinary people?
Hence, taking down various connected parts of a chariot, there would be no chariot
I do not wish to be looked upon as valuable as jade and to look down on others as worthless stones


反覆第 四 十 章   第 四 十講 無生有

反 者 道 之 動 ， 弱 者 道 之 用 。 天 下 萬 物生 於 有 ， 有 生 於 無 。
　
Chapter 40
Principle of Reversion and Evolution
Cycle of reversion is the evolution or action of Tao
Weakness or gentleness is the operation of Tao
Myriad things and creatures of the world come from being
And being comes from non-being (Tao)

聞道第 四 十 一 章  第 四 十 一講  道的尊貴

上 士 聞 道 ， 勸 而 行 之 ； 中 士 聞 道 ， 若存 若 亡 ； 下 士 聞 道 ， 大 笑 之 ， 不 笑 不 足 以 為 道 。 故 建 言 有 之 ： 明 道 若 昧 ， 進 道 若 退 ， 夷 道 若類 ， 上 德 若 谷 ， 大 白 若 辱 ， 廣 德 若 不 足 ， 建 德 若 偷 ， 質 直 若 渝 ， 大 方 無 隅 ， 大 器 晚 成 ， 大 音聲 希 ， 大 象 無 形 。 夫 惟 道 ， 善 貸 且 成 。
Chapter 41
Nobility of Tao
When the scholars of the highest class hear the Tao (truth)
They put in into practice earnestly
When scholars of the middle class hear of the Tao
They waver between belief and disbelief
When the scholars of the lowest class hear about the Tao
They will give out loud laughter
If it were not laughed at, it would not be fit to be called the Tao
Therefore there are the following mottoes:
Who understands Tao appears to look like a fool
Who is progressing in Tao seems to walk backward
Who is in accord with Tao speaks simple and straightforward words
Persons with highest virtue appear like a receptive valley
A man with purified mind does not care much about honour and disgrace
A person of distinct nature and character seems to be incapable and keeps humble
A virtuous person seems to look like simple and ordinary despite his meritorious deeds for the people
His firm virtue appears simple and he acts in accord with the Nature
Great space (heaven) has no corners
Great talent takes time to become mature
Great sound generated during the rotation of heavenly planets is inaudible to men on earth
Great Tao is formless
And Tao is hidden and nameless
However, it is this Tao that is best to give out power and energy for the successful creation of creatures and things
　
?和第 四十 二 章  第 四 十 二講  道的造化

道 生 一 ， 一 生 二 ， 二 生 三 ， 三 生 萬 物。 萬 物 負 陰 而 抱 陽 ， 沖 氣 以 為 和 。 人 之 所 惡 ， 孤 、 寡 、 不 榖 ， 而 王 公 以 為 稱 。 故 物 ， 或 損 之而 益 ， 或 益 之 而 損 。 人 之 所 教 ， 我 亦 教 之 ： 強 梁 者 不 得 其 死 ， 吾 將 以 為 教 父 。
　
Chapter 42
Creation Made by Tao
The Tao produces one
One produces two
Two produces three
Three produces all creatures and things
The created world carries the Yin at its back and the Yang in front
Through the union of the vital force of Yin and Yang, harmonious nature has been so produced
TO be virtue less, the lonely and the worthless is what people dislike is
Yet the rulers humbly call themselves these names
For sometimes things are benefited by being diminished and suffer harm by being increased
Others have been enlightened by this motto
Which I shall also teach
‘The violent and strong persons do not die naturally’
The above motto will be used by me as the basis of my teaching

至柔第 四 十 三 章  第 四 十 三講 柔勝剛

天 下 之 至 柔 ， 馳 騁 天 下 之 至 堅 ， 無 有入 於 無 間 ， 吾 是 以 知 無 為 之 有 益 。 不 言 之 教 ， 無 為 之 益 ， 天 下 希 及 之 。
　
Chapter 43-The Soft overcomes the hard and strong
The softest thing in the world passes through and overcomes the hardest.
That which is the formless vital power of energy can penetrate into any space without hindrance.
Hereby I know the benefit of taking non-action*.

Only a few in the world could reach the standard of teaching by setting good example instead of words
The advantage of non-action (TAO0 is beyond comparison in the world.

*Influence of TAO reaches everywhere. Mankind relies on it for existence.


知止第 四 十 四 章  第 四 十 四講  身與名

名 與 身 孰 親 ？ 身 與 貨 孰 多 ？ 得 與 亡 孰病 ？ 是 故 甚 愛 必 大 費 ， 多 藏 必 厚 亡 。 知 足 不 辱 ， 知 止 不 殆 ， 可 以 長 久 。
　
Chapter 44-True Self and the Fame
As for fame and one’s true self, (soul and spirit), which is the dearer?
As for one’s true self and wealth, which is more worthy?
As for gain of honour and loss of one’s true self, which is more valuable?
Therefore excessive passion and desires will cost you to pay a high price in the end.
He who hoards much loses much
The contented person will suffer no disgrace.
Who knows when to stop is free from peril?
Hence, he will live long

TO hoard much will invite jealousy and hatred, thus leading to disaster.

清靜第 四 十 五 章   第 四 十 五講 清靜自然

大 成 若 缺 ， 其 用 不 敝 ； 大 盈 若 沖 ， 其用 不 窮 。 大 直 若 屈 ， 大 巧 若 拙 ， 大 辯 若 訥 。 躁 勝 寒 ， 靜 勝 熱 ， 清 靜 為 天 下 正 。
　
Chapter 45-Purity and the Nature
The highest perfect appears like imperfection, Virtue of humility.
And its application is never exhausted.
Great achievements seem empty in the mind of the sage
And yet its use is endless
What is most straight appears crooked
The greatest skill appears clumsy
The greatest eloquence seems like stammering
Instant heat overcomes cold for a while
Calm overcomes heat
Purity, quietude and calmness indicate the law of Nature to be observed for peace and order o the world

知足第 四 十 六 章  第 四 十 六講 天下有道與天下無道

天 下 有 道 卻 走 以 糞 ； 天 下 無 道 ， 戎 馬生 於 郊 。 罪 莫 大 於 可 欲 ， 禍 莫 大 於 不 知 足 ， 咎 莫 大 於 欲 得 。 故 知 之 足 ， 常 足 。

Chapter 46-Tao and No Tao in the World
When the world is in accord with TAO
Horses are sent back to do farming work
When the world is not in the accord with TAO
War horses breed themselves in the wilderness
There is no greater misfortune than the lack of contentment
There is no greater guilt than the passion for selfish possession
There he who knows what enough is will have contentment
　
天道第 四 十 七 章  第 四 十 七講  自然的原則與定理

不 出 戶 ， 知 天 下 ； 不 窺 牖 ， 見 天 道 。其 出 彌 遠 ， 其 知 彌 少 。 是 以 聖 人 不 行 而 知 ， 不 見 而 名 ， 不 為 而 成 。
　
Chapter 47-The Principle of the Nature
Without going outside one’s door.
One can understand what is happening in the world.
Without looking out from one’s window,
One can see the TAO of Heaven
The farther one goes,
The less one knows
Therefore sages get their knowledge without travelling far away
Understand all things and names of Nature without seeing them,
Accomplish their aims without purpose of achieving them
(One who has purified mind free from delusion, attachment and worldly desires can truly understand what happens in the world.

日損第 四 十 八 章  第 四 十 八講 無為的妙處

為 學 日 益 ， 為 道 日 損 ； 損 之 又 損 ， 以至 於 無 為 ； 無 為 而 無 不 為 矣 。 故 取 天 下 者 ， 常 以 無 事 ； 及 其 有 事 ， 足 以 取 天 下 。
Chapter 48-Te Mysterious Non –Action
In the pursuit of learning
One knows more day by day
In the practice of TAO (way) one aims at losing human desires day by day
Keep on losing and losing
Until you reach the state of non-action
By the doctrine of non-action everything can be done
One can win the world by doing things according to Law of Nature
If one have private ends and selfish desires
He will not win the world

Non-action means making use of natural force of energy to achieve one’s object.
　
德善第 四 十 九 章  第 四 十 九講  聖人之心

聖 人 無 常 心 ， 以 百 姓 心 為 心 。 善 者 吾善 之 ， 不 善 者 吾 亦 善 之 。 德 善 矣 ， 信 者 吾 信 之 ， 不 信 者 吾 亦 信 之 ， 德 信 矣 。 聖 人 在 天 下 惵 惵， 為 天 下 渾 其 心 。 百 姓 皆 注 其 耳 目 ， 聖 人 皆 孩 之 。
　
Chapter 49-The Mind of The Sage
The sage has no constant mind
He treats the minds of the people as his mind
He is kind to the kind
He is also kind to the unkind
This is kindness of virtue
He is faithful to the faithful
He is also faithful to the unfaithful
This is the faith of virtue
The sage is mindful of the people who have gone astray
And wishes to guide them to follow the truth of Tao
Therefore the people will follow his enlightenment attentively
And the sage regards as his own children

生死第 五 十 章  第 五 十講 出生入生

出 生 入 死 。 生 之 徒 十 有 三 ； 死 之 徒 十有 三 ， 民 之 生 ， 動 之 死 地 ， 亦 十 有 三 。 夫 何 故 ？ 以 其 生 生 之 厚 。 蓋 聞 善 攝 生 者 ， 陸 行 不 遇 兕虎 ， 入 軍 不 被 甲 兵 ； 兕 無 所 投 其 角 ， 虎 無 所 措 其 爪 ， 兵 無 所 容 其 刃 。 夫 何 故 ？ 以 其 無 死 地 。
　
Chapter 50-Life and Death
Men come forth and live
Then they enter again and die
Of every ten, three can take care of their life
Three are ministers of death
There are also three in every ten, whose purpose is to live but whose movement of desires lead them to death
How is it so?
Because of their intense passions and greedy desires causing them early death
It has been said that one who is a best preserver of life is truly aware of his true self.
He meets no tigers or wild buffaloes on land
He will not be harmed by weapons in battle-field
The horns of buffalo are useless to attack him
The claws of tigers are powerless t to hurt him
Even the soldier cannot use weapons to carry out attack against him
How is it so?
Because he is beyond death and his true self (spirit and soul) is everlasting!

尊貴第 五 十 一 章  第 五 十 一講 道体的德性

道 生 之 ， 德 畜 之 ， 物 形 之 ， 勢 成 之 。是 以 萬 物 莫 不 尊 道 而 貴 德 。 道 之 尊 ， 德 之 貴 ， 夫 莫 之 命 而 常 自 然 。 故 道 生 之 德 畜 之 ， 長 之 育之 ， 成 之 熟 之 ， 養 之 復 之 ； 生 而 不 有 ， 為 而 不 恃 ， 長 而 不 宰 ， 是 謂 玄 德 。
Chapter 51-The Mystic Virtue of TaoTao gives birth to all things and creatures
Tao Virtue nourishes them
They receive their forms according to nature
And they are completed in accord with circumstances
Therefore all things in the universe honour TAO and highly value Tao
Without the command from anyone but only follow the Law of Nature
Therefore Tao produces them
Tao nourishes them, let them grow nurses them
Completes them, matures them
Feeds them and shelters them
It produces them but does not claim possession of them
It acts without claiming merit and ability
It is superior but exercises no control over them
This is called “the mystic virtue”