第五十六章
中文原文
知者不言，言者不知。
塞其兑，闭其门，挫其锐，解其纷，和其光，同其尘。
是谓玄同。
故不可得而亲，不可得而疏；
不可得而利，不可得而害；
不可得而贵，不可得而贱。
故为天下贵。
English Translation
Those who know do not speak;
Those who speak do not know.
Block the openings,
Shut the doors,
Blunt the sharpness,
Untangle the knots,
Soften the glare,
Merge with the dust.
This is called profound unity.
Thus one cannot be approached nor estranged,
Cannot be benefited nor harmed,
Cannot be honored nor despised.
Therefore such a one is most honored under Heaven.
问答讲解
问：为什么“知者不言，言者不知”？
答：真正的智慧无法用语言完全表达，语言一旦介入就失真。所以智者宁静守道，而不在言辞上炫耀。
Q: Why does it say “those who know do not speak, those who speak do not know”?
A: Because true wisdom transcends words. Once spoken, it loses authenticity. The wise keep silent and dwell in Dao.
第五十七章
中文原文
以正治国，以奇用兵，以无事取天下。
吾何以知其然哉？以此：
天下多忌讳，而民弥贫；
人多利器，国家滋昏；
人多伎巧，奇物滋起；
法令滋彰，盗贼多有。
故圣人云：我无为而民自化，我好静而民自正，
我无事而民自富，我无欲而民自朴。
English Translation
Govern the state with uprightness;
Use surprise in warfare;
Win the world by letting things be.
How do I know this? By this:
The more prohibitions in the world, the poorer the people;
The more sharp weapons, the darker the state;
The more cunning skills, the more strange goods arise;
The more laws and decrees, the more thieves appear.
Therefore the sage says:
I act through non-action, and the people transform themselves;
I love stillness, and the people become upright;
I have no affairs, and the people prosper;
I have no desires, and the people become simple.
问答讲解
问：为什么法令越多，盗贼越多？
答：因为过多的管制会滋生对抗与漏洞，反而刺激混乱。无为而治能让社会自然归正。
Q: Why does “the more laws, the more thieves” happen?
A: Because excessive control breeds resistance and loopholes, encouraging corruption. Non-interference lets society balance itself.
第五十八章
中文原文
其政闷闷，其民淳淳；
其政察察，其民缺缺。
祸兮福之所倚，福兮祸之所伏。
孰知其极？其无正也。
正复为奇，善复为妖。
人之迷，其日固久矣！
是以圣人方而不割，廉而不刿，直而不肆，光而不耀。
English Translation
When government is dull, the people are simple;
When government is sharp, the people are cunning.
Misfortune rests upon fortune;
Fortune hides within misfortune.
Who knows their end?
They have no fixed rule.
The correct becomes the strange;
Goodness becomes evil.
People have been confused for a long time!
Thus the sage is square but does not cut,
Honest but not hurtful,
Straight but not reckless,
Bright but not dazzling.
问答讲解
问：为什么说“祸兮福之所倚，福兮祸之所伏”？
答：因为福与祸相互依存、相互转化。世间没有绝对的好坏，唯有保持中正之心，才能避免迷失。
Q: Why “misfortune rests upon fortune, fortune hides within misfortune”?
A: Because fortune and misfortune transform into each other. Nothing is absolute; balance prevents confusion.
第五十九章
中文原文
治人事天，莫若啬。
夫唯啬，是以早服；
早服谓之重积德；重积德则无不克；
无不克则莫知其极；莫知其极，可以有国。
有国之母，可以长久。
是谓深根固柢，长生久视之道。
English Translation
In governing people and serving Heaven,
Nothing is better than frugality.
Only with frugality can one submit early.
Submitting early is called building up virtue.
With abundant virtue, nothing cannot be overcome.
When nothing cannot be overcome, no one knows its limit.
Having limitless virtue, one can possess the state.
Possessing the mother of the state, it can endure long.
This is called deep roots and a firm foundation—
The way of long life and lasting vision.
问答讲解
问：为什么治理强调“啬”（节俭）？
答：节俭能积蓄德行，使国家稳固长久。奢华则消耗根基，导致衰败。
Q: Why is “frugality” emphasized in governance?
A: Because frugality accumulates virtue and preserves strength, giving a state longevity. Extravagance depletes the root and causes decline.
第六十章
中文原文
治大国若烹小鲜。
以道莅天下，其鬼不神。
非其鬼不神，其神不伤人。
非其神不伤人，圣人亦不伤人。
夫两不相伤，故德交归焉。
English Translation
Governing a great state
Is like cooking a small fish.
When one rules the world with Dao,
Spirits lose their power.
It is not that spirits lose their power,
But their power does not harm people.
It is not that their power does not harm,
But the sage also does not harm people.
When both do not harm,
Virtue flows together and returns.
问答讲解
问：“治大国若烹小鲜”是什么意思？
答：治理大国要像煎小鱼一样，轻轻翻动，不可扰动过多。否则会破坏自然的和谐。
Q: What does “governing a great state is like cooking a small fish” mean?
A: It means ruling should be gentle and minimal. Too much interference, like over-stirring a fish, spoils harmony.
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