第30章 · 原文
现代白话译文
用道辅佐君主的人，不靠兵力在天下逞强。动用兵革这种事情一定会得到报应。军队驻扎过的地方，荆棘就会生长。大战之后，必定有荒年。善于用兵的人只要达到救济危难的目的就是了，不用来夺取强权。达到了目的不要自我夸耀，达到了目的不要自我吹嘘，达到了目的不要骄傲，达到了目的是出于不得已，达到了目的不要逞强。事物强壮了就会衰老，这叫作不合乎道，不合乎道就会很快灭亡。
英文译本 / English Translations
D.C. Lau
One who assists the ruler of men by means of the way does not intimidate the empire by a show of arms. This is something which is liable to rebound. Where troops have encamped There will brambles grow; In the wake of a mighty army Bad harvests follow without fail. One who is good aims only at bringing his campaign to a conclusion and dare not thereby intimidate. Bring it to a conclusion but do not brag; Bring it to a conclusion but do not be arrogant; Bring it to a conclusion but only when there is no choice; Bring it to a conclusion but do not intimidate. A creature in its prime doing harm to the old Is known as going against the way. That which goes against the way will come to an early end.
Robert Henricks
1. Those who assist their rulers with the Way, 2. Don't use weapons to commit violence in the world. 3. Such deeds easily rebound. 4. In places where armies are stationed, thorns and brambles will grow. 5. The good [general] achieves his result and that's all; 6. He does not use the occasion to seize strength from it. 7. He achieves his result but does not become arrogant; 8. He achieves his result but does not praise his deeds; 9. He achieves his result and yet does not brag. 10. He achieves his result, yet he abides with the result because he has no choice. 11. This is called achieving one's result [without] using force. 12. When things reach their primes, they get old; 13. We called this "not the Way." 14. What is not the Way will come to an early end.
Addiss & Lombardo
Those who use the way to assist the master do not use weapons to coerce the world. Such things have repercussions. Where the army camps, thorns and brambles grow. A great army is inevitably followed by a bad year. One who is good achieves his purpose and stops, does not use force to achieve it. Achieves but does not rely on it, achieves but does not dwell on it, achieves but does not boast, achieves but only when unavoidable, achieves but does not use force. Things thrive then grow old. This is called not following the way. What does not follow the way will perish early.
Arthur Waley
He who by Tao purposes to help a ruler of men Will oppose all conquest by force of arms; For such things are wont to rebound. Where armies are, thorn and brambles grow. The raising of a great host Is followed by a year of dearth. Therefore a good general effects his purpose and then stops; he does not take further advantage of his victory. Fulfils his purpose and does not glory in what he has done; Fulfils his purpose and does not boast of what he has done; Fulfils his purpose, but takes no pride in what he has done; Fulfils his purpose, but only as a step that could not be avoided. Fulfils his purpose, but without violence; For what has a time of vigour also has a time of decay. This is against Tao, And what is against Tao will soon perish.
林语堂
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Stephen Mitchell
Whoever relies on the Tao in governing men doesn't try to force issues or defeat enemies by force of arms. For every force there is a counterforce. Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself. The Master does his job and then stops. He understands that the universe is forever out of control, and that trying to dominate events goes against the current of the Tao. Because he believes in himself, he doesn't try to convince others. Because he is content with himself, he doesn't need others' approval. Because he accepts himself, the whole world accepts him.