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道德经第五章 Tao Te Ching Chapter 5

 


道德经简介

《道德经》是中国古代先秦时期道家哲学的经典著作,其作者传统上被认为是老子。这部著作以其深刻的哲学思想和简洁的语言风格,在世界范围内产生了广泛而深远的影响。

Introduction to Tao Te Ching

Tao Te Ching is a classic work of Taoist philosophy in the pre-Qin period of ancient China, and its author is traditionally considered to be Lao Tzu. This work has a wide and far-reaching influence around the world with its profound philosophical thoughts and concise language style.

tiān dì bù rén, yǐ wàn wù wèi chú gǒu; 

天地不仁,以万物为刍狗;

shèng rén bù rén, yǐ bǎi xìng wèi chú gǒu. 

圣人不仁,以百姓为刍狗。

tiān dì zhī jiān, qí yóu tuó yuè hū? 

天地之间,其犹橐龠乎?

xū ér bù qū, dòng ér yù chū. 

虚而不屈,动而愈出。

duō wén shù qióng, bù rú shǒu zhōng. 

多闻数穷,不如守中。


解释:

这段文字出自《老子》,主要表达了道家对于天地、圣人与万物关系的看法。其中包含了一些比较抽象的概念,比如“刍狗”(用草扎的狗,祭祀时用来代替牲畜)、“橐龠”(风箱,比喻天地生成万物的方式)。

逐句释义:

天地不仁,以万物为刍狗;圣人不仁,以百姓为刍狗:天地和圣人并不偏爱任何事物,对待万物和百姓就像对待祭祀用的草狗一样。

天地之间,其犹橐龠乎:天地之间就像一个风箱,不断地运行。


虚而不屈,动而愈出:虽然空虚,但并不屈服,反而在运动中产生更多。

多闻数穷,不如守中:知道得太多反而会陷入困境,不如守住本心。

整体意思:

这段文字强调了自然规律的客观性和无情,以及圣人应该保持中庸之道。它告诫人们不要执着于外物,而要注重内心的修养。


Nature is unkind:

It treats the creation like sacrificial straw-dogs.

The Sage is unkind:

He treats the people like sacrificial straw-dogs.

How the universe is like a bellows!

Empty, yet it gives a supply that never fails;

The more it is worked, the more it brings forth.

By many words is wit exhausted.

Rather, therefore, hold to the core. 


Explanation:

This passage comes from Laozi, and mainly expresses the Taoist view on the relationship between heaven and earth, sages and all things. It contains some relatively abstract concepts, such as "straw dogs" (dogs made of straw, used to replace livestock during sacrifices) and "bellows" (bellows, a metaphor for the way heaven and earth generate all things).


Sentence-by-sentence explanation:

Heaven and earth are not benevolent, and treat all things as straw dogs; sages are not benevolent, and treat the people as straw dogs: Heaven and earth and sages do not favor any thing, and treat all things and the people like straw dogs used for sacrifices.

Between heaven and earth, it is like a bellows: Between heaven and earth is like a bellows, constantly running.

Empty but not yielding, moving and producing more: Although empty, it does not yield, but produces more in movement.


It is better to keep the middle than to know too much: knowing too much will get you into trouble, it is better to keep your original heart.


Overall meaning:

This passage emphasizes the objectivity and ruthlessness of natural laws, and that sages should maintain the doctrine of the mean. It warns people not to cling to external things, but to focus on inner cultivation.


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