| |
Original |
Legge's
Translation |
Susuki's
Translation |
Goddard's
Translation |
| 1 |
重為輕根，靜為躁君。 |
Gravity is the root of lightness; stillness, the ruler of
movement.
|
The heavy is of the light the root, and rest is motion's master. |
The heavy is the root of the light; the quiet is master of motion. |
| 2 |
是以君子終日行不離輜重。雖有榮觀，燕處超然。 |
Therefore a wise prince, marching the whole day, does not go far
from his baggage waggons. Although he may have brilliant prospects to
look at, he quietly remains (in his proper place), indifferent to
them. |
Therefore the holy man in his daily walk does not depart from gravity. Although
he may have magnificent sights, he calmly sits with
liberated mind.
|
Therefore the wise man in all the experience of the day will not depart from
dignity. Though he be surrounded with sights that are
magnificent, he will remain calm and unconcerned. |
| 3 |
奈何萬乘之主，而以身輕天下？輕則失根，躁則失君。 |
How should the lord of a myriad chariots carry himself lightly
before the kingdom? If he do act lightly, he has lost his root (of
gravity); if he proceed to active movement, he will lose his throne. |
But how is it when the master of the ten thousand chariots in his personal conduct
is too light for the empire? If he is too light he
will lose his vassals. If he is too passionate he will
lose the throne.
|
How does it come to pass that the Emperor, master of ten thousand chariots, has
lost the mastery of the Empire? Because being flippant
himself, he has lost the respect of his subjects; being
passionate himself, he has lost the control of the
Empire. |
