04道德经英译本85种-第200节
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Yet never forgetting the need for honor；
Be the lowly valley of the world。
This way； the eternal virtue is fulfilled。
And simplicity is restored。
Simplicity is valuable。
From simple substances we have all our useful tools。
When simple men are used by the Sages；
They become great statesmen。
Great people never go out of their way to make themselves great；
Just as the great artists will not do superfluous things
to draw the attention of others。
29
Guard Against Vain Ambitions and Excesses
Someone who sets out to win the world and
contrives to make his way will never make it。
The world is holy； and is beyond contrivance and possession。
He who contrives to win will only lose。
He who only aspires to possess will be dispossessed。
The Sage never contrives to do anything and so he fails in nothing。
He never possesses anything and so he never loses anything。
Among the living things； some lead； while others follow。
Some sigh； while others shout。
Some display their strengths； while others show their weaknesses。
Some lend support； while others destroy。
In contrast； the Sage will discard the excessive； the
extravagant； and the extreme。
30
Good Deeds Beget Good Results
The person who through the Dao helps a ruler
Will advise against using sheer military force to conquer the world。
Such military activity will invite its own counter…effects。
For where the military force goes；
farmlands will give way to thorns and brambles。
In the wake of military conquest；
A year of misfortune inevitably follows。
Good results are the natural outcome of good deeds。
They are not achieved by force or contrivance。
In the face of good results；
One must not indulge in conceit；
Nor must one boast about one's success；
Nor must one succumb to pride。
Remember that good results follow the natural law。
Good results are not brought about
by forcing the course of events。
Anything that has seen the prime of its age
will soon get old。
Going past the prime is going against the Dao。
Going against the Dao； one soon perishes。
31
Do Not Glorify Military Victories
Fine weapons are ominous objects
And are detested by all living things。
For this reason the man who follows the Dao
will stay away from them when possible。
The refined man respects life in his daily life。
（he 〃follows the left〃）。
If he should resort to military force； he unavoidably
destroys life （he 〃follows the right〃）。
Weapons are ominous objects and are never
the instruments of a refined person。
If ever he cannot avoid using them；
he must not make a big thing out of it。
Even if he wins the war；
he must not glorify the victory。
He who glorifies military victories
takes pleasure in killing。
He who takes pleasure in killing
will not win the support of the world。
Auspicious events are symbolized by the left；
Ominous events are symbolized by the right。
The next…in…command should take the left seat；
The chief…in…command should take the right seat。
This is to say that a military victory should be
treated like a ceremony to honor the dead。
For those who kill； let us shed our tears upon them。
Upon winning a war； let us pay tribute to
those who die with the rites of mourning。
32
The Nameless Way
The Dao has always been nameless and simple。
Though humble； it is never subservient to anyone under heaven。
Still； if kings and barons would follow the Dao steadfastly
All the living things on earth would benefit and pay them homage。
It is the interaction of heaven and earth
that brings rain to all the living things。
Heaven and earth are not at the command of anyone。
Yet all living things benefit from their actions。
Humans since the beginning of time
have established all kinds of traditions and have named names。
Should they then not know when to stop？
Those who know when to stop know no death。
Just as the rivers and valleys bring water to the sea；
So the Dao brings all living things to the Ultimate。
33
Real Strength and Endurance
He who knows others is wise；
He who knows himself is wiser。
He who conquers others is strong。
He who conquers himself is stronger。
He who knows what is adequate lives a rich life。
He who overcomes difficulties knows what he wants。
He who will not lose his place endures。
He who dies and yet lives lasts。
34
The Great Dao
The Great Dao is all…encompassing。
Its influences pervade all directions。
All living things depend on it。
But the Dao works quietly。
It accomplishes yet makes no claims。
It provides clothing and nourishments
yet does not take command over anything。
Ever aspiring for non…existence；57
It can be called little。
Providing a home to all the living things
yet claiming no ownership；
It can be called great。
Exactly because the Dao never takes itself as great；
It is truly great。
35
The Dao Does Not Attract Followers
He who holds the great sign
Attracts a great following。
He who helps the followers avoid harm
Enjoys great peace。
Music and good food can stop passers…by on their way。
The Dao； on the contrary； offers only a bland taste。
It can hardly be seen or heard。
Yet if one uses it； it is inexhaustible。
36
Refined Understanding
In order to fold； one must first unfold；
In order to weaken； one must first strengthen；
In order to banish； one must first establish；
In order to deprive； one must first provide。
The following is called refined understanding：
That the weak will outperform the strong。
Just as fish should stay inside their deep pools。
So the best gadgets and tools of a country
should not be displayed in front of others。
37
Stillness of the Mind and Refined Action
The Dao neither contrives to do something
nor abstains from doing anything。
If only the kings and barons would follow the Dao；
all the living things would be transformed。
If the transformed living things
should contrive to do anything；
I would restrain them
with the natural simplicity of the Unnamed。
I would have them freed from desires。
Freedom from desires is achieved by stilling the mind。
Everything under heaven will then fall back into their natural places。
38
Refined Way of Life
The refined virtuous never attempts to be virtuous。
For this reason they are truly virtuous。
The unrefined virtuous always adheres to what is virtuous。
For this reason they are not really virtuous。
The refined virtuous will not contrive to do anything
and do not act for gain。
The unrefined virtuous contrives to act
and does so for gain。
The refined kindly man lives a kindly life not for benefit。
The refined fair man acts fairly and does so for benefit。
The refined gentlemanly person acts gentlemanly
and expects to be so treated。
If he is not treated the way he expects；
he would push away and thrust aside his counterpart。
The man who has lost the Dao
finds refuge in being virtuous。
The man who has lost the virtuous way of life
finds refuge in being kindly。
The man who has lost the kindly way of life
finds refuge in being fair。
The man who has lost the fair way of life
finds refuge in being gentlemanly。
Ceremony and gentlemanly behavior
is the result of the thinness of faith and trust；
and is the origin of many ills。
Learning to tell what is 〃virtuous〃 and 〃fair〃
is merely the showy flower（not the fruit） of the Dao。
It could be the beginning of folly。
The fully grown person chooses a life
that offers substance and satisfaction；
not one that is thin and superficial。
He knows what he opts for and what he gives up。
39
The Universal Formula
There is one universal formula that always works：
The sky had followed the universal formula；
and it became clear。
The earth had followed the universal formula；
and became calm and safe。
The gods follow the universal formula；
and they have become effective。
The valleys follow the universal formula；
and they now harbor copious vegetation and creatures。
The living things follow the universal formula；
and they live；
When barons and kings follow the universal formula；
they become the object of emulation by their peoples。
All these achievements are due to the universal formula。
If the sky were not clear it could be torn apart。
If the earth were not calm and safe
it could burst into chaos。
If the gods were not effective
they could wear out。
If the valleys were not copious
they could become empty。
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