| 39 | 道德經: | 其致之，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；侯王無以貴高將恐蹶。 故貴以賤為本，高以下為基。是以侯王自稱孤、寡、不穀。此非以賤為本耶？非乎？故致數譽無譽。 不欲琭琭如玉，珞珞如石。 |
| Dao De Jing: | The things which from of old have got the One (the Dao) are - Heaven which by it is bright and pure; Earth rendered thereby firm and sure; Spirits with powers by it supplied; Valleys kept full throughout their void All creatures which through it do live Princes and kings who from it get The model which to all they give. All these are the results of the One (Dao). If heaven were not thus pure, it soon would rend; If earth were not thus sure, 'twould break and bend; Without these powers, the spirits soon would fail; If not so filled, the drought would parch each vale; Without that life, creatures would pass away; Princes and kings, without that moral sway, However grand and high, would all decay. Thus it is that dignity finds its (firm) root in its (previous) meanness, and what is lofty finds its stability in the lowness (from which it rises). Hence princes and kings call themselves 'Orphans,' 'Men of small virtue,' and as 'Carriages without a nave.' Is not this an acknowledgement that in their considering themselves mean they see the foundation of their dignity? So it is that in the enumeration of the different parts of a carriage we do not come on what makes it answer the ends of a carriage. They do not wish to show themselves elegant-looking as jade, but (prefer) to be coarse-looking as an (ordinary) stone. |
Tao Te Ching Chapter 39 - Sheets/Tovey
Oct 1 at 2:35 AM
39
In ancient times there was unity.
Heaven benefited from unity and became pure.
Earth benefited from unity and became stabilized.
The soul benefited from unity and became divine.
The valleys benefited from unity and became bountiful.
Ten-thousand things (everything) benefited from unity and were born.
All people benefited from unity and became Heaven below’s (the sacred body's) high principle.
They achieved this.
Without purity, fear would split Heaven apart.
Without solidity, fear would cause the Earth to crumble.
Without divinity, fear would shut down the soul.
Without abundance, fear would deplete the valleys.
Without birth, fear would cause the ten-thousand things to perish.
Without taking in hand their exalted treasure, fear would cause the people to stumble.
Thus, value is rooted in humble action.
High positions are humble and form the foundation.
When people say orphans and widows are not worthy, it surely is not the root of humble action.
Surely not!
Therefore, looking for praise does not bring success.
Do not desire to sparkle, sparkle like a jewel.
Instead, resemble a necklace, a necklace of rocks.
In ancient times there was unity.
Heaven benefited from unity and became pure.
Earth benefited from unity and became stabilized.
The soul benefited from unity and became divine.
The valleys benefited from unity and became bountiful.
Ten-thousand things (everything) benefited from unity and were born.
All people benefited from unity and became Heaven below’s (the sacred body's) high principle.
They achieved this.
Without purity, fear would split Heaven apart.
Without solidity, fear would cause the Earth to crumble.
Without divinity, fear would shut down the soul.
Without abundance, fear would deplete the valleys.
Without birth, fear would cause the ten-thousand things to perish.
Without taking in hand their exalted treasure, fear would cause the people to stumble.
Thus, value is rooted in humble action.
High positions are humble and form the foundation.
When people say orphans and widows are not worthy, it surely is not the root of humble action.
Surely not!
Therefore, looking for praise does not bring success.
Do not desire to sparkle, sparkle like a jewel.
Instead, resemble a necklace, a necklace of rocks.
__._,_.___
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