| 1 |
載營魄抱一，能無離乎？專氣致柔，能嬰兒乎？滌除玄覽，能無疵乎？ |
When the intelligent and animal souls are held together in one
embrace, they can be kept from separating. When one
gives undivided
attention to the (vital) breath, and brings it to the
utmost degree of
pliancy, he can become as a (tender) babe. When he
has cleansed away
the most mysterious sights (of his imagination), he
can become without
a flaw. |
Who by unending discipline of the senses embraces unity cannot be disintegrated.
By concentrating his vitality and inducing tenderness
he can become like a little child. By purifying, by
cleansing and profound intuition he can be free from
faults. |
By patience the animal spirits can be disciplined. By self-control one can unify
the character. By close attention to the will, compelling
gentleness, one can become like a little child. By
purifying the subconscious desires one may be without
fault. In ruling his country, if the wise magistrate
loves his people, he can avoid compulsion. |
| 2 |
愛
國治民，能無為乎？天門開闔，能為雌乎？明白四達，能無知乎？生之畜
之，生而不有，為而不恃，長而不宰，是謂玄德。 |
In loving the people and ruling the state, cannot he proceed without any (purpose
of) action? In the opening and shutting of his gates
of heaven, cannot he do so as a female bird? While
his intelligence reaches in every direction, cannot
he (appear to) be
without knowledge? (The Dao) produces (all things) and nourishes them; it produces
them and does not claim them as its own; it does all, and yet does not boast
of it; it presides over all, and yet does not control them. This is what is called
'The mysterious Quality' (of the Dao). |
Who loves the people when administering the country will practise nonassertion.
Opening and closing
the gates of heaven, he will be like a mother-bird;
bright, and white, and penetrating the four quarters,
he will be unsophisticated. He quickens them and
feeds them. He quickens but owns not. He acts but
claims not. He excels but rules not. This is called
profound virtue.
|
In measuring out rewards, the wise magistrate will act like a mother bird. While
sharply penetrating into every corner, he may appear
to be unsuspecting. While quickening and feeding his
people, he will be producing but without pride of ownership.
He will benefit but without claim of reward. He will
persuade, but not compel by force. This is de [teh],
the profoundest virtue.
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