第20章 · 原文
现代白话译文
应诺和呵斥，相差有多远？美好和丑恶，相差有多远？别人所畏惧的，我也不能不畏惧。这风气从远古以来就是如此，好像没有尽头的样子！众人都兴高采烈，好像去参加盛大的宴席，好像春天登台眺望美景。而我却独自淡泊宁静，无动于衷；混混沌沌，好像还不会笑的婴儿；疲惫懒散，好像无家可归。众人都有余裕，而我却好像不足。我真是只有一颗愚人的心啊！众人都光辉自炫，唯独我昏昏糊糊；众人都严厉苛刻，唯独我淳朴宽宏。恍惚啊，像大海汹涌；飘逸啊，像无处停留。众人都精明灵巧，唯独我愚昧笨拙。我唯独与人不同，而重视用道来滋养自己。
英文译本 / English Translations
D.C. Lau
Between yea and nay How much difference is there? Between good and evil How great is the distance? What others fear One must also fear. The multitude are joyous As if partaking of the offering Or going up to a terrace in spring. I alone am inactive and reveal no signs, And wax without having reached the limit. Like a baby that has not yet learned to smile, Listless as though with no home to go back to. The multitude all have more than enough. I alone seem to be in want. My mind is that of a fool - how blank! Vulgar people are clear. I alone am drowsy. Vulgar people are alert. I alone am muddled. Calm like the sea; Like a high wind that never ceases. The multitude all have a purpose. I alone am foolish and uncouth. I alone am different from others And value being fed by the mother.
Robert Henricks
1. Agreement and angry rejection; 2. How great is the difference between them? 3. Beautiful and ugly; 4. What's it like — the difference between them? 5. The one who is feared by others, 6. Must also because of this fear other men. 7. Wild, unrestrained! It will never come to an end! 8. The multitudes are peaceful and happy; 9. Like climbing a terrace in springtime to feast at the tai-lao sacrifice. 10. But I'm tranquil and quiet — not yet having given any sign. 11. Like a child who has not yet smiled. 12. Tired and exhausted — as though I have no place to return. 13. The multitudes all have a surplus. [13a. I alone seem to be lacking.] 14. Mine is the mind of a fool — ignorant and stupid! 15. The common people see things clearly; 16. I alone am in the dark. 17. The common people discriminate and make fine distinctions; 18. I alone am muddled and confused. 19. Formless am I! Like the ocean; 20. Shapeless am I! As though I have nothing in which I can rest. 21. The masses all have their reasons [for acting]; 22. I alone am stupid and obstinate like a rustic. 23. But my desires alone differ from those of others — 24. For I value drawing sustenance from the Mother.
Addiss & Lombardo
Agreeing and disagreeing are close. Good and bad are close. What others fear, I cannot help but fear. So vast, it has no end. The people are merry, as if enjoying a feast, as if climbing a terrace in spring. I alone am calm, like an infant who has not yet smiled. I alone am wandering, like one with no home to return to. The people all have enough, I alone seem lacking. I have the mind of a fool, how confused. Ordinary people are bright, I alone am dim. Ordinary people are sharp, I alone am dull. Calm like the sea, drifting like the wind. The people all have purpose, I alone seem stubborn and rustic. I alone differ from others, and value the mother that nourishes.
Arthur Waley
Between wei and o What after all is the difference? Can it be compared to the difference between good and bad? The saying "what others avoid I too must avoid" How false and superficial it is? All men, indeed, are wreathed in smiles, As though feasting after the Great Sacrifice, As though going up to the Spring Carnival. I alone am inert, like a child that has not yet given sign; Like an infant that has not yet smiled. I droop and drift, as though I belonged nowhere. All men have enough and to spare; I alone seem to have lost everything. Mine is indeed the mind of a very idiot, So dull am I. The world is full of people that shine; I alone am dark. They look lively and self-assured; I alone depressed. (I seem unsettled as the ocean; Blown adrift, never brought to a stop.) All men can be put to some use; I alone am intractable and boorish. But wherein I most am different from men Is that I prize no sustenance that comes not from the Mother's breast.
林语堂
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Stephen Mitchell
Stop thinking, and end your problems. What difference between yes and no? What difference between success and failure? Must you value what others value, avoid what others avoid? How ridiculous! Other people are excited, as though they were at a parade. I alone don't care, I alone am expressionless, like an infant before it can smile. Other people have what they need; I alone possess nothing. I alone drift about, like someone without a home. I am like an idiot, my mind is so empty. Other people are bright; I alone am dark. Other people are sharper; I alone am dull. Other people have a purpose; I alone don't know. I drift like a wave on the ocean, I blow as aimless as the wind. I am different from ordinary people. I drink from the Great Mother's breasts.