第58章 · 原文
现代白话译文
政治宽厚，百姓就淳朴；政治严苛，百姓就狡诈。灾祸中倚伏着幸福，幸福中潜伏着灾祸。谁知道它们的终极？它们并没有定准。正可以转变为邪，善可以转变为恶。人们的迷惑，已经很久了。因此圣人方正而不割人，锐利而不伤人，直率而不放肆，光亮而不刺眼。
英文译本 / English Translations
D.C. Lau
When the government is muddled The people are simple; When the government is alert The people are cunning. It is on disaster that good fortune perches; It is beneath good fortune that disaster crouches. Who knows the limit? Does not the straightforward exist? The straighforward changes again into the crafty, and the good changes again into the monstrous. Indeed, it is long since the people were perplexed. Therefore the sage is square-edged but does not scrape, Has corners but does not jab, Extends himself but not at the expense of others, Shines but does not dazzle.
Robert Henricks
1. When the government is muddled and confused, 2. The people are genuine and sincere. 3. When the government is discriminate and clear, 4. The state is crafy and cunning. [4a Disaster is that on which good fortune depends.] 5. Good fortune is that in which disaster's concealed. 6. Who knows where it will end? 7. For there is no [fixed] "correct." 8. The "correct" turns into the "deviant"; 9. And "good" turns into "evil." 10. People's state of confusion 11. Has certainly existed for a long time. 12. Therefore be square but don't cut; 13. Be sharp but don't stab; 14. Be straightforward but not unrestrained; 15. Be bright but don't dazzle.
Addiss & Lombardo
When the government is dull, the people are pure. When the government is sharp, the people are lacking. Happiness relies on misery. Misery relies on happiness. Who knows the limit? There is no correctness. Correctness becomes strange. Good becomes evil. People's confusion is long-lasting. Therefore the sage is square but does not cut, sharp but does not wound, straight but does not stretch, bright but does not dazzle.
Arthur Waley
When the ruler looks repressed the people will be happy and satisfied; When the rule looks lively and self-assured the people will be carping and discontented. "It is upon bad fortune that good fortune leans, upon good fortune that bad fortune rests." But though few know it, there is a bourn where there is neither right nor wrong; In a realm where every straight is doubled by a crooked, And every good by an ill, surely mankind has gone long enough astray? Therefore the Sage Squares without cutting, Shapes the corners without chopping, Straightens without stretching, Gives forth light without shining.
林语堂
This version is not yet available.
Stephen Mitchell
If a country is governed with tolerance, the people are comfortable and honest. If a country is governed with repression, the people are depressed and crafty. When the will to power is in charge, the higher the ideals, the lower the results. Try to make people happy, and you lay the groundwork for misery. Try to make people moral, and you lay the groundwork for vice. Thus the Master is content to serve as an example and not to impose her will. She is pointed, but doesn't pierce. Straightforward, but supple. Radiant, but easy on the eyes.