第15章 · 原文
现代白话译文
古代善于为士的人，微妙玄妙，深奥通达，深刻得无法认识。正因为无法认识，所以只能勉强地形容他：小心谨慎啊，像冬天踩冰过河；警惕疑虑啊，像提防四邻围攻；恭敬庄重啊，像在做客；融化和顺啊，像冰块将要融化；淳厚朴实啊，像未经雕琢的素材；空旷开阔啊，像深山幽谷；浑厚宽容啊，像浑浊的流水。谁能够使浑浊安静下来慢慢澄清？谁能够使安静变动起来慢慢显出生机？保持这个道的人，不要求圆满。正因为不要求圆满，所以虽破旧却不会败坏，不需要更新。
英文译本 / English Translations
D.C. Lau
Of old he who was well versed in the way Was minutely subtle, mysteriously comprehending, And too profound to be known. It is because he could not be known That he can only be given a makeshift description: Tentative, as if fording a river in winter, Hesitant, as if in fear of his neighbors; Formal like a guest; Falling apart like the thawing ice; Thick like the uncarved block; Vacant like a valley; Murky like muddy water. Who can be muddy and yet, settling, slowly become limpid? Who can be at rest and yet, stirring, slowly come to life? He who holds fast to this way Desires not to be full. It is because he is not full That he can be worn and yet newly made.
Robert Henricks
1. The one who was skilled at practicing the Way in antiquity, 2. Was subtle and profound, mysterious and penetratingly wise. 3. His depth cannot be known. 4. It is only because he cannot be known 5. That therefore were I forced to describe him I'd say: 6. Hesitant was he! Like someone crossing a river in winter. 7. Undecided was he! As though in fear of his neighbors on all four sides. 8. Solemn and polite was he! Like a guest. 9. Scattered and dispersed was he! Like an ice as it melts 10. Genuine, unformed was he! Like uncarved wood. 11. Merged, undifferentiated was he! Like muddy water. 12. Broad and expansive was he! Like a valley. 13. If you take muddy water and still it, it gradually becomes clear. 14. If you bring something to rest in order to move it, it gradually comes to life. 15. The one who preserved this Way does not desire to be full; 16. Therefore he can wear out with no need to be renewed.
Addiss & Lombardo
The ancient masters were subtle, mysterious, profound, responsive. Too deep to be understood. Because they could not be understood, I can only describe them: cautious as if crossing a winter stream, hesitant as if fearing neighbors, dignified as if being a guest, yielding like melting ice, simple like uncarved wood, open like a valley, turbid like muddy water. Who can quiet the turbid and gradually become clear? Who can stir the still and gradually come to life? Those who hold this way do not wish to be full. Because they are not full, they can renew and not be exhausted.
Arthur Waley
Of old those that were the best officers of Court Had inner natures subtle, abstruse, mysterious, penetrating, Too deep to be understood. And because such men could not be understood I can but tell of them as they appeared to the world: Circumspect they seemed, like one who in winter crosses a stream, Watchful, as one who must meet danger on every side. Ceremonious, as one who pays a visit; Yet yielding, as ice when it begins to melt. Blank, as a piece of uncarved wood; Yet receptive as a hollow in the hills. Murky, as a troubled stream — (Tranquil, as the vast reaches of the sea, Drifting as the wind with no stop.) Which of you an assume such murkiness, To become in the end still and clear? Which of you can make yourself inert, To become in the end full of life and stir? Those who possess this Tao do not try to fill themselves to the brim, And because they do not try to fill themselves to the brim, They are like a garment that endures all wear and need never be renewed.
林语堂
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Stephen Mitchell
The ancient Masters were profound and subtle. Their wisdom was unfathomable. There is no way to describe it; all we can describe is their appearance. They were careful as someone crossing an iced-over stream. Alert as a warrior in enemy territory. Courteous as a guest. Fluid as melting ice. Shapable as a block of wood. Receptive as a valley. Clear as a glass of water. Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving till the right action arises by itself? The Master doesn't seek fulfillment. Not seeking, not expecting, she is present, and can welcome all things.