04道德经英译本85种-第473节
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11
Thirty spokes converge on the wheel's hub。
But the center hole which receives the axle
makes it useful。
Clay is shaped into a pot。
But the inner space which receives whatever
one puts into it makes it useful。
Wood is cut and joined to build a house。
But the windows and doors which allow
things to enter and leave make it
useful。
The potential utility resides in the tangible。
But true usefulness is a manifestation of
the intangible。
12
The oneness of the five colors blind the eyes。
The oneness of the five tones deafens the ears。
The oneness of the five flavors dull the tongue。
Racing ahead of change
and pursuing the illusion of reality
promotes confusion。
Therefore； the sage is in harmony with what she is
and does not distinguish what she sees。
She chooses oneness and distinguishes nothing。
13
Accept disgrace indifferently。
Acknowledge misfortune as one of the human
conditions。
What does it mean to 〃accept disgrace
indifferently〃？
Honor and disgrace are one in the Infinite。
Only by making distinctions does one
manifest disgrace。
Refusing to make distinctions
merges honor and disgrace into the
oneness of circumstances
which creates harmony。
What is meant by 〃acknowledging misfortune
as one of the human conditions〃？
The body is a manifestation of Infinity
and the body is subject to being
affected by the other manifestations
of Infinity。
Misfortune is one of those other
manifestations。
However； as with disgrace；
refusing to distinguish misfortune and
fortune
creates indifference which keeps one
focused
on the oneness of Infinity
and creates peace in the self。
Stay centered in
your oneness with Infinity
and you can be entrusted with leadership。
See the world as yourself
and you will care for all things。
14
Look and see the manifestations of the Infinite
but not its essence。
Listen and hear the manifestations of the Infinite
but not its essence。
Reach out and touch the manifestations of the
Infinite
but not its essence。
These three are one in their inability to relate
the essence of Infinity。
Above it is not light。
Below it is not dark。
It is neither light nor dark。
Infinity is the potential manifestation of all
things
and the essence into which all
manifestations
disintegrate。
Yet it is inconceivable and indescribable；
intangible but the essence of all
manifestations。
You cannot confront what has no head
and you cannot follow what has no tail。
Remember your oneness；
flow in the peace and harmony of Infinity；
live in the now； changing and flowing with
change。
There was no beginning。
This is the mystery of Infinity。
15
Those who live in oneness manifest the Infinite
in simple ways。
Their awareness is the awareness of Infinity。
Their knowing cannot be described but only
experienced。
All that can be described is their acts and their
appearance and the perception of them。
They are；
alert when crossing unfamiliar space；
cautious in hostile lands；
humble as a guest；
indifferently transforming as melting ice；
possessing the infinite potential of
an unremarkable piece of uncarved
wood；
mysterious as an unexplored valley；
perplexing as muddy water。
Can you see the calm in turbulent waters；
the clarity in murky water？
Can you allow the tides of Infinite change
to move you from stillness to motion
and action to inaction；
experiencing but not contemplating the
change？
Those who live in oneness do not seek
fullness because at every moment they
are aware of their infinite fullness and
the infinite pregnancy of all things。
They are aware of their infinite potential
within which the limitations of fullness
resides。
16
Contemplate Infinity and become peaceful as the
mind becomes lost。
The self perceives the never ending
manifestations of
the potential of Infinity as well as the
disintegration
of all those manifestations。
Within Infinity all things manifest
and disintegrate。
Disintegration is a returning to the Infinite
potential。
Disintegration is the destiny of all
manifestations。
Manifesting is the nature of Infinity。
Change is the Infinite constant。
Acknowledging change is the key to understanding
the harmony of never ending change。
Acknowledging change within the Infinite potential
of which every creature is a manifestation；
unique； yet bound to all things in
disintegration；
gives one a perspective regarding life。
Possessing perspective； one becomes impartial；
openhearted； tolerant； compassionate
and indifferent to judging others。
These are foundations of harmony。
The manifestation of the body disintegrates
but Infinity can never disintegrate into
itself。
There is nothing to fear。
17
The best leaders are in harmony with their
followers。
The next best are those who are respected。
Then comes those who are feared。
The worst are those who are despised。
If one perceives others as untrustworthy；
then that will be the experience that
one acknowledges。
The selective acknowledgment of
untrustworthiness
verifies one's perception of the
untrustworthiness
of others。
When the leaders are in harmony with their
followers；
few laws are necessary
and all tasks are accomplished with ease。
The followers； not perceiving the
administration
of leadership； marvel at the
manifestations
of harmony and experience a sense of
self worth。
18
When the oneness of Infinity is forgotten；
judgment appears and people are
distinguished as good and righteous。
When the illusion of knowledge and understanding
appear；
the physical reality has been confused with
Infinity。
When there is no peace and harmony within the
family；
a facade of devotion and obedience is
perceived。
When a nation manifests great change；
patriots step forward
to attempt to resurrect the past。
19
Quit distinguishing the wise and their wisdom；
the saints and their holiness；
and the people will be a hundred times better
off。
Quit distinguishing morality； righteousness and
benevolence
and humanity will stay centered in its
oneness。
Abandon the pursuit of commercial profit
and the number of thieves and robbers will be
greatly reduced。
These are just three impediments to peace and
harmony
and abandoning them is not enough。
Peace and harmony reside in the simplicity
of an uncarved piece of wood。
Quit distinguishing the self and reside in oneness。
Curb your desires and aspirations
and experience the peace and harmony of
simplicity。
20
Give up the pursuit of knowledge and live in peace
and harmony。
Without knowledge there is no difference
between good and evil。
Is it necessary to learn to fear what others
perceive should be feared？ Nonsense！
Other people are excited； joyous and festive
as if enjoying a holiday。
I alone am indifferent； without emotion
or expression； like a baby
before it has learned to smile。
Others have things they feel they need。
I alone own nothing。
I am like a fool unfettered by knowledge。
Other people are intelligent。 I alone am ignorant。
Others are shrewd and cunning。
I alone am untouched and moronic。
I aimlessly drift on the great tides of the endless
seas
at the mercy of the indifferent winds。
Others have direction； goals and purposes。
I alone flow within the harmony of Infinity。
I am different from others。
I reside in the peace and harmony of
the Infinite oneness of all things。
21
To attain peace and harmony；
stay focused on the oneness of Infinity。
Infinity is the intangible potential of all things；
intangible yet manifesting all images；
intangible yet manifesting all substance。
Within the Infinite void resides the
Infinite potential of all things。
All tangible things are a manifestation of the
Infinite essence。
From the present； forever into the past；
forever into the future；
Infinity is the homogenous essence。
The potential of all things forever manifest
and forever disintegrate within the Infinite。
How can I know the manifestations of Infinity？
Because I am at one with Infinity。
22
If you accept all things by refusing to distinguish
good and bad；
you overcome the confusion of the physical
