第36章 · 原文
现代白话译文
想要收缩它，必先扩张它；想要削弱它，必先增强它；想要废除它，必先兴盛它；想要夺取它，必先给予它。这就叫作微妙而明智的道理。柔弱能战胜刚强。鱼不能离开深水，国家的有效武器不能轻易展示给人看。
英文译本 / English Translations
D.C. Lau
If you would have a thing shrink, You must first stretch it; If you would have a thing weakened, You must first strengthen it; If you would have a thing laid aside, You must first set it up; If you would take from a thing, You must first give to it. This is called subtle discernment: The submissive and weak will overcome the hard and strong. The fish must not be allowed to leave the deep; The instruments of power in a state must not be revealed to anyone.
Robert Henricks
1. If you wish to shrink it, 2. You must certainly stretch it. 3. If you wish to weaken it, 4. You must certainly strengthen it. 5. If you wish to desert it, 6. You must certainly work closely with it. 7. If you wish to snatch something from it, 8. You must certainly give something to it. 9. This is called the Subtle Light. 10. The submissive and weak conquer the strong. 11. Fish should not be taken out of the depths; 12. The state's sharp weapons should not be shown to the people.
Addiss & Lombardo
If you wish to shrink it, you must expand it. If you wish to weaken it, you must strengthen it. If you wish to abolish it, you must establish it. If you wish to seize it, you must give it. This is called subtle wisdom. The soft overcomes the hard, the weak overcomes the strong. Fish should not leave the deep pool. The sharp weapons of the state should not be shown to others.
Arthur Waley
What is in the end to be shrunk Must first be stretched. Whatever is to be weakened Must begin by being made strong. What is to be overthrown Must begin by being set up. He who would be a taker Must begin as a giver. This is called "dimming" one's light. It is thus that the soft overcomes the hard And the weak, the strong. "It is best to leave the fish down in his pool; Best to leave the State's sharpest weapons wherenone can see them."
林语堂
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Stephen Mitchell
If you want to shrink something, you must first allow it to expand. If you want to get rid of something, you must first allow it to flourish. If you want to take something, you must first allow it to be given. This is called the subtle perception of the way things are. The soft overcomes the hard. The slow overcomes the fast. Let your workings remain a mystery. Just show people the results.