第34章 · 原文
现代白话译文
大道广泛啊，它可以左右一切。万物依靠它生存而它不推辞，功业成就了它也不占有名誉。它养育万物而不做万物的主宰，经常没有欲望，可以叫它渺小；万物归附于它而不做万物的主宰，可以叫它伟大。正因为它始终不自以为伟大，所以才能成就它的伟大。
英文译本 / English Translations
D.C. Lau
The way is broad, reaching left as well as right. The myriad creatures depend on it for life yet it claims no authority. It accomplishes its task yet lays claim to no merit. It clothes and feeds the myriad creatures yet lays no claim to being their master. For ever free of desire, it can be called small; Yet as it lays no claim to being master when the myriad creatures turn to it, it can be called great. It is because it never attempts itself to become great that it succeeds in becoming great.
Robert Henricks
1. The Way floats and drifts; 2. It can go left or right. 3. It accomplishes its tasks and completes its affairs, and yet for this it is not given a name. 4. The ten thousand things entrust their lives to it, and yet it does not act as their master. 5. Thus it is constantly without desires. 6. It can be named with the things that are small. 7. The ten thousand things entrust their lives to it, and yet it does not not act as their master. 8. It can be named with the things that are great. 9. Therefore the Sage's ability to accomplish the great 10. Comes from his not playing the role of the great. 11. Therefore he is able to accomplish the great.
Addiss & Lombardo
The great way overflows, to left and right. Ten thousand things rely on it to live, and it does not refuse them. It achieves its work but does not dwell on it. It clothes and feeds the ten thousand things but does not rule them. This can be called small. The ten thousand things return to it but it does not rule them. This can be called great. Because it does not strive to be great, it can achieve greatness.
Arthur Waley
Great Tao is like a boat that drifts; It can go this way; it can go that. The ten thousand creatures owe their existence to it and it does not disown them; Yet having produced them, it does not take possession of them. Makes no claim to be master over them, (And asks for nothing from them.) Therefore it may be called the Lowly. The ten thousand creatures obey it, Though they know not that they have a master; Therefore it is called the Great. So too the Sage just because he never at any time makes a show of greatness In fact achieves greatness.
林语堂
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Stephen Mitchell
The great Tao flows everywhere. All things are born from it, yet it doesn't create them. It pours itself into its work, yet it makes no claim. It nourishes infinite worlds, yet it doesn't hold on to them. Since it is merged with all things and hidden in their hearts, it can be called humble. Since all things vanish into it and it alone endures, it can be called great. It isn't aware of its greatness; thus it is truly great.