第37章 · 原文
现代白话译文
道永远是顺其自然而无不为的。侯王如果能守住它，万物将会自然化育。化育过程中如果有欲望产生，我将用无名的朴来镇住它。无名的朴，也就是没有欲望。没有欲望就能安静，天下将会自然安定。
英文译本 / English Translations
D.C. Lau
The way never acts, yet nothing is left undone. Should lords and princes be able to hold fast to it, The myriad creatures would be transformed of their own accord. After they are transformed, should desire raise its head, I shall press it down with the weight of the nameless uncarved block. The nameless uncarved block Is but freedom from desire, And if I cease to desire and remain still, The empire will be at peace of its own accord.
Robert Henricks
1. The Dao is constantly nameless. 2. Were Marquises and kings able to maintain it, 3. The ten thousand things would transform on their own. 4. Having transformed, were their desires to become active, 5. I would subdue them with the nameless simplicity. 6. Having subdued them with the nameless simplicity, 7. I would not disgrace them. 8. By not being disgraced, they will be tranquil. 9. And Heaven and Earth will of themselves be correct and right. 10. The Way — 2,426 [characters]
Addiss & Lombardo
The way is always without action, yet nothing is left undone. If lords and kings can hold to it, the ten thousand things will transform themselves. If transformed desires arise, I will suppress them with nameless simplicity. Nameless simplicity itself has no desire. Without desire and stillness, the world will right itself.
Arthur Waley
Tao never does; Yet through it all things are done. If the barons and kings would but possess themselves of it, The ten thousand creatures would at once be transformed. And if having been transformed they should desire to act, We must restrain them by the blankness of the Unnamed. The blankness of the Unnamed Brings dispassion; To be dispassionate is to be still. And so, of itself, the whole empire will be at rest.
林语堂
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Stephen Mitchell
The Tao never does anything, yet through it all things are done. If powerful men and women could venter themselves in it, the whole world would be transformed by itself, in its natural rhythms. People would be content with their simple, everyday lives, in harmony, and free of desire. When there is no desire, all things are at peace.