第46章 · 原文
现代白话译文
天下有道时，战马退还给农田去耕种。天下无道时，怀胎的母马也要上战场。最大的祸患是不知足，最大的过失是贪得无厌。所以知道满足的这种满足，永远是满足的。
英文译本 / English Translations
D.C. Lau
When the way prevails in the empire, fleet-footed horses are relegated to ploughing in the fields; When the way does not prevail in the empire, war-horses breed on the border. There is no crime greater than having too many desires; There is no disaster greater than not being content; There is no misfortune greater than being covetous. Hence in being content, one will always have enough.
Robert Henricks
1. When the world has the Way, ambling horses are retired to fertilize [fields]. 2. When the world lacks the Way, war horses are reared in the suburbs. 3. Of crimes — none is greater than having things that one desires; 4. Of disasters — none is greater than not knowing when one has enough. 5. Of defects — none brings more sorrow than one desire to attain. 6. Therefore, the contentment one has when he knows that he has enough, is abiding contentment indeed.
Addiss & Lombardo
When the world has the way, horses are used for farming. When the world loses the way, warhorses breed in the suburbs. No crime is greater than sanctioning desire. No disaster is greater than not knowing contentment. No error is greater than seeking gain. Therefore knowing contentment is always enough.
Arthur Waley
When there is Tao in the empire The galloping steeds are turned back to fertilize the ground by their droppings. When there is not Tao in the empire War horses will be reared even on the sacred mounds below the city walls. (No lure is greater than to possess what others want,) No disaster greater than not to be content with what one has, No presage of evil greater than men should be wanting to get more. Truly: "He who has once known the contentment that comes simply through being content, Will never again be otherwise than contented".
林语堂
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Stephen Mitchell
When a country is in harmony with the Tao, the factories make trucks and tractors. When a country goes counter to the Tao, warheads are stockpiled outside the cities. There is no greater illusion than fear, no greater wrong than preparing to defend yourself, no greater misfortune than having an enemy. Whoever can see through all fear will always be safe.