第十六章
中文原文
致虚极，守静笃。
万物并作，吾以观复。
夫物芸芸，各复归其根。
归根曰静，是谓复命。
复命曰常，知常曰明。
不知常，妄作凶。
知常容，容乃公，公乃全，全乃天，天乃道，道乃久，殁身不殆。
English Translation
Attain utmost emptiness;
Maintain steadfast stillness.
All things arise together,
I watch their return.
All things flourish,
Yet each returns to its root.
Returning to the root is called stillness;
Stillness is called returning to life.
Returning to life is called constancy;
Knowing constancy is called enlightenment.
Not knowing constancy leads to recklessness and misfortune.
Knowing constancy brings tolerance;
Tolerance leads to impartiality,
Impartiality to wholeness,
Wholeness to Heaven,
Heaven to Dao,
Dao to eternity.
Though the body perishes, there is no danger.
问答讲解
问：“致虚极，守静笃”是什么意思？
答：要达到极致的空灵，坚守深厚的宁静。因为万物繁盛后必然归根，理解这种规律，就能洞察生命的永恒。
Q: What does “attain utmost emptiness, maintain steadfast stillness” mean?
A: It means cultivating complete tranquility and silence. Observing how all things flourish yet return to their root reveals the eternal law of life.
第十七章
中文原文
太上，下知有之；
其次，亲而誉之；
其次，畏之；
其次，侮之。
信不足焉，有不信焉。
悠兮，其贵言。功成事遂，百姓皆谓我自然。
English Translation
The highest rulers are scarcely known by their people.
The next are loved and praised.
The next are feared.
The next are despised.
When trust is lacking, there is no trust in return.
The sage is reserved in speech.
When the work is accomplished and the task completed,
The people all say, “We did it naturally.”
问答讲解
问：老子推崇哪一种领导？
答：最高明的领导人几乎让人感觉不到他的存在。事情完成时，人民觉得是自己自然做到的，而不是被强制的。
Q: What kind of leadership does Laozi value?
A: The best leader is hardly noticed. When tasks are accomplished, people feel they did it naturally, without being forced.
第十八章
中文原文
大道废，有仁义；
智慧出，有大伪；
六亲不和，有孝慈；
国家昏乱，有忠臣。
English Translation
When the great Dao is abandoned,
There arises benevolence and righteousness.
When cleverness appears,
There arises great hypocrisy.
When family relationships are not harmonious,
There arises filial piety and compassion.
When the state is in disorder,
There arise loyal ministers.
问答讲解
问：为什么大道废，才有仁义？
答：大道运转时，人们自然和谐，不需外加道德规范。当大道失落，才不得不强调仁义孝慈来弥补。
Q: Why does benevolence arise only after Dao is lost?
A: When Dao is present, harmony is natural. Once Dao is abandoned, artificial virtues like benevolence and filial piety are promoted as substitutes.
第十九章
中文原文
绝圣弃智，民利百倍；
绝仁弃义，民复孝慈；
绝巧弃利，盗贼无有。
此三者以为文不足，故令有所属：
见素抱朴，少私寡欲。
English Translation
Cut off sageliness, abandon wisdom,
And the people will benefit a hundredfold.
Cut off benevolence, abandon righteousness,
And the people will return to filial piety and compassion.
Cut off cleverness, abandon profit,
And there will be no thieves.
These three are superficial and not enough;
Therefore, let people belong to this instead:
See simplicity, embrace plainness,
Reduce selfishness, lessen desires.
问答讲解
问：是不是要否定“圣、智、仁、义”？
答：老子不是彻底否定，而是说当这些被过度强调时，反而变成虚伪和形式。真正的根本在于回归质朴与无欲。
Q: Does this mean Laozi rejects “sage, wisdom, benevolence, righteousness”?
A: Not absolute rejection, but critique of their overemphasis. When exalted, they become artificial. True harmony lies in simplicity and reduced desires.
第二十章
中文原文
绝学无忧。
唯之与阿，相去几何？美之与恶，相去何若？
人之所畏，不可不畏。
荒兮，其未央哉！
众人熙熙，如享太牢，如登春台。
我独泊兮，其未兆；如婴儿之未孩；
儡儡兮，若无所归。
众人皆有余，而我独若遗。
我愚人之心也哉！沌沌兮。
俗人昭昭，我独昏昏；
俗人察察，我独闷闷。
澹兮其若海，飂兮若无止。
众人皆有以，而我独顽且鄙。
我独异于人，而贵食母。
English Translation
Abandon learning, and be free of worries.
What is the difference between yes and no?
What is the difference between good and evil?
What people fear must also be feared.
How endless is this confusion!
The people are cheerful,
As if at a grand feast,
As if ascending the spring terrace.
I alone am quiet, not yet showing signs,
Like an infant before it smiles.
Weary, as if without a home.
The people all have more,
But I alone seem left behind.
My mind is that of a fool—so dull!
The common people are bright and busy;
I alone am dark and still.
The common people are sharp and clever;
I alone am dull and slow.
Calm, like the sea;
Drifting, without end.
The people all have purpose;
I alone am stubborn and simple.
I alone am different from others,
But I value being nourished by the Mother.
问答讲解
问：这一章为什么充满自我感叹？
答：老子在这里以“我”的口吻，与世俗人做对比。世人追逐聪明、欢乐、功利，他则保持朴拙和寂静，依靠“道”——母体来滋养。
Q: Why does this chapter sound so full of personal lament?
A: Laozi speaks in the first person, contrasting himself with the worldly crowd. While others chase cleverness and pleasure, he remains plain and calm, nourished by the Dao—the great Mother.
Discover more from Geoffrey Chen
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.