第31章 · 原文
现代白话译文
精良的兵器，是不祥的器物，人们都厌恶它，所以有道的人不使用它。君子平时以左边为贵，打仗时以右边为贵。兵器是不祥的器物，不是君子使用的器物，万不得已才使用它，最好淡然处之。胜利了也不要得意洋洋，如果得意洋洋，就是以杀人为乐。以杀人为乐的人，是不能在天下得志的。吉庆的事情以左边为上，凶丧的事情以右边为上。偏将军站在左边，上将军站在右边，这是说用丧礼的仪式来对待战争。杀人众多，要用悲哀的心情对待，打了胜仗要用丧礼的仪式来处理。
英文译本 / English Translations
D.C. Lau
It is because arms are instruments of ill omen and there are Things that detest them that the one who has the way does not abide by their use. The gentleman gives precedence to the left when at home, but to the right when he goes to war. Arms are instruments of ill omen, not the instruments of the gentleman. When one is compelled to use them, it is best to do so without relish. There is no glory in victory, and so to glorify it despite this is to exult in the killing of men. One who exults in the killing of men will never have his way in the empire. On occasions of rejoicing precedence is given to the left; On occasions of mourning precedence is given to the right. A lieutenants place is on the left; The general's place is on the right. This means that it is mourning rites that are observed. When great numbers of people are killed, one should weep over them with sorrow. When victorious in war, one should observe the rites of mourning.
Robert Henricks
1. As for weapons — they are instruments of ill omen. 2. And among things there are those that hate them. 3. Therefore, the one who has the Way, with them does not dwell. 4. When the gentleman is at home, he honors the left; 5. When at war, he honors the right. 6. Therefore, weapons are not the instrument of the gentleman — 7. Weapons are instruments of ill omen. 8. When you have no choice but to use them, it's best to remain tranquil and calm. 9. You should never look upon them as things of beauty. 10. If you see them as beautiful things — this is to delight in the killing of men. 11. And when you delight in the killing of men, you'll not realize your goal in the land. 12. Therefore, in happy events we honor the left, 13. But in mourning we honor the right. 14. Therefore, the lieutenant general stands on the left; 15. And the supreme general stands on the right. 16. Which is to say, they arrange themselves as they would at a funeral. 17. When multitudes of people are killed, we stand before them in sorrow and grief. 18. When we're victorious in battle, we treat the occasion like a funeral ceremony.
Addiss & Lombardo
Fine weapons are instruments of ill omen. All things detest them. Therefore those with the way do not dwell in them. The gentleman values the left in daily life, but in war values the right. Weapons are instruments of ill omen, not the gentleman's instruments. When one must use them, calm detachment is best. Do not celebrate victory. Those who celebrate victory kill people. Those who kill people cannot fulfill their purpose in the world. On auspicious occasions the left is valued, on inauspicious the right is valued. The lieutenant general is on the left, the general on the right. This is said to be conducting it like a funeral. When many people are killed, mourn them with grief. When victorious in war, conduct it like a funeral.
Arthur Waley
Fine weapons are none the less ill-omened things. (People despise them, therefore, Those in possession of the Tao do not depend on them.) That is why, among people of good birth, In peace the left-hand side is the place of honour, But in war this is reversed and the right-hand side is the place of honour. (Weapons are ill-omened things, which the superior man should not depend on. When he has no choice but to use them, The best attitude is to retain tranquil and peaceful.) The Quietist, even when he conquers, does not regard weapons as lovely things. For to think them lovely means to delight in them, And to delight in them means to delight in the slaughter of men. And he who delights in the slaughter of men Will never get what he looks for out of those that dwell under heaven. (Thus in happy events, The left-hand side is the place of honour, in grief and mourning, The right-hand is the place of honour. The lieutenant general stands on the left, While the supreme general stands on the right, Which is arranged on the rites of mourning.) A host that has slain men is received with grief and mourning; He that has conquered in battle is received with rites of mourning.
林语堂
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Stephen Mitchell
Weapons are the tools of violence; all decent men detest them. Weapons are the tools of fear; a decent man will avoid them except in the direst necessity and, if compelled, will use them only with the utmost restraint. Peace is his highest value. If the peace has been shattered, how can he be content? His enemies are not demons, but human beings like himself. He doesn't wish them personal harm. Nor does he rejoice in victory. How could he rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of men? He enters a battle gravely, with sorrow and with great compassion, as if he were attending a funeral.