第62章 · 原文
现代白话译文
道是万物的庇荫所。善人珍视它，不善的人也保持它。美好的言语可以换取别人的尊重，高尚的行为可以见重于人。那些不善的人，怎么可以舍弃道呢？所以天子即位、设置三公的时候，虽然先献上璧玉后献上车马，不如献上这个道。古人之所以重视这个道为什么呢？不是说有求的就能得到，有罪的就能免除吗？所以被天下所尊贵。
英文译本 / English Translations
D.C. Lau
The way is the refuge for the myriad creatures. It is that by which the good man protects, And that by which the bad is protected. Beautiful words when offered will win high rank in return; Beautiful deeds can raise a man above others. Even if a man is not good, why should he be abandoned? Hence when the emperor is set up and the three ducal ministers are appointed, he who makes a present of the way without stirring from his seat is preferable to one who offers presents of jade disks followed by a team of four horses. Why was this way valued of old? Was it not said that by means of it one got what one wanted and escaped the consequences when one transgressed? Therefore it is valued by the empire.
Robert Henricks
1. The Way is that toward which all things flow. 2. It is the treasure of the good man, 3. And that which protects the bad. 4. Beautiful words can be bought and sold; 5. Honored deeds can be presented to others as gifts; 6. [Even with] things that people regard as no good — will they be rejected? 7. Therefore, when the So of Heaven is being enthroned or the Three Ministers installed, 8. Though you might salture them which disks of jade preceded by teams of four horses, 9. That's not so good as sitting still and offering this. 10. The reason why the ancients valued this — what was it? 11. Did they not say, "Those who seek, with this will attain, and those who commit offenses, with this will escape"?! 12. Therefore, it's the most valued thing in the world.
Addiss & Lombardo
The way is the refuge of the ten thousand things. It is the treasure of the good, the refuge of the not good. Fine words can gain respect in the market, fine deeds can gain people's support. How can we abandon bad people? Therefore set up the emperor and appoint the three ministers, though presenting jade before four horses, is not as good as sitting and advancing this way. Why did the ancients value this way? Did they not say: Seek and you will find, have sin and be forgiven? Therefore it is the treasure of the world.
Arthur Waley
Tao in the Universe is like the south-west corner in the house. It is the treasure of the good man, The support of the bad. There is a traffic in speakers of fine words; Persons of grave demeanour are accepted as gifts; Even the bad let slip no opportunity to acquire them. Therefore on the day of an Emperor's enthronement Or at the installation of the three officers of State Rather than send a team of four horses, preceded by a disc of jade, Better were it, as can be done without moving from one's seat, To send this Tao. For what did the ancients say of this Tao, How did they prize it? Did they not say of those that have it "Pursuing, they shall catch; pursued, they shall escape?" They thought it, indeed, most precious of all things under heaven.
林语堂
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Stephen Mitchell
The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect can be won with good deeds; but the Tao is beyond all value, and no one can achieve it. Thus, when a new leader is chosen, don't offer to help him with your wealth or your expertise. Offer instead to teach him about the Tao. Why did the ancient Masters esteem the Tao? Because, being one with the Tao, when you seek, you find; and when you make a mistake, you are forgiven. That is why everybody loves it.