第19章 · 原文
现代白话译文
抛弃聪明智巧，人民可以得到百倍的好处；抛弃仁义，人民可以恢复孝慈的天性；抛弃巧诈和私利，盗贼也就没有了。圣智、仁义、巧利这三者全是巧饰，作为治理社会的法则是不够的。所以要使人们的认识有所归属：表现单纯，持守朴素，减少私欲，抛弃学问，没有忧愁。
英文译本 / English Translations
D.C. Lau
Exterminate learning and there will no longer be worries. Exterminate the sage, discard the wise, And the people will benefit a hundredfold; Exterminate benevolence, discard rectitude, And the people will again be filial; Exterminate ingenuity, discard profit, And there will be no more thieves and bandits. These three, being false adornments, are not enough And the people must have something to which they can attach themselves: Exhibit the unadorned and embrace the uncarved block, Have little thought of self and as few desires as possible.
Robert Henricks
1. Eliminate sageliness, throw away knowledge, 2. And the people will benefit a hundredfold. 3. Eliminate humanity, throw away righteousness, 4. And the people will return to filial piety and compassion. 5. Eliminate craftiness, throw away profit, 6. Then we will have no robbers and thieves. 7. These three sayings — 8. Regard as a text are not yet complete. 9. Thus, we must see to it that they have the following appended: 10. Manifest plainness and embrace the genuine; 11. Lessen self-interest and make few your desires; 12. Eliminate learning and have no undue concern.
Addiss & Lombardo
Reject wisdom, discard intelligence, the people benefit a hundredfold. Reject benevolence, discard righteousness, the people return to filial piety and compassion. Reject skill, discard profit, thieves and robbers disappear. These three are not enough. Therefore let people belong to this: see simplicity, embrace the uncarved block, reduce selfishness, decrease desire.
Arthur Waley
Banish wisdom, discard knowledge, And the people will be benefited a hundredfold. Banish human kindness, discard morality, And the people will be dutiful and compassionate. Banish skill, discard profit, And thieves and robbers will disappear. If when these three things are done they find life too plain and unadorned, Then let them have accessories; Give them Simplicity to look at, the Uncarved Block to hold, Give them selflessness and fewness of desires. Banish learning, and there will be no more grieving.
林语堂
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Stephen Mitchell
Throw away holiness and wisdom, and people will be a hundred times happier. Throw away morality and justice, and people will do the right thing. Throw away industry and profit, and there won't be any thieves. If these three aren't enough, just stay at the center of the circle and let all things take their course.