第7章 · 原文
现代白话译文
天长地久。天地所以能长久存在，是因为它们不为自己而生，所以能长生。因此，圣人把自己置于后，反而能领先；把自身置之度外，反而能保全。不正因为他不自私吗？所以能成就他自己的利益。
英文译本 / English Translations
D.C. Lau
Heaven and earth are enduring. The reason why heaven and earth can be enduring is that they do not give themselves life. Hence they are able to be long-lived. Therefore the sage puts his person last and it comes first, Treats it as extraneous to himself and it is preserved. Is it not because he is without thought of self that he is able to accomplish his private ends?
Robert Henricks
1. Heaven endures; Earth lasts a long time. 2. The reason why Heaven and Earth can endure and last a long time — 3. Is that they do not live for themselves. 4. Therefore they can long endure. 5. Therefore the Sage: 6. Puts himself in the background yet finds himself in the foreground; 7. Puts self-concern out of [his mind], yet finds self-concern in the fore; 8. Puts self-concern out of [his mind], yet finds that his self-concern is preserved. 9. Is it not because he has no self-interest, 10. That he is therefore able to realize his self-interest?
Addiss & Lombardo
Heaven is lasting, earth enduring. The reason heaven and earth can last and endure is that they do not have a life of their own. This is why they last. Thus the sage puts himself last and finds himself in the forefront; considers himself an outsider and finds himself safe. Isn't it because he's unselfish that he's fulfilled?
Arthur Waley
Heaven is eternal, the Earth everlasting. How come they to be so? It is because they do not foster their own lives; That is why they live so long. Therefore the Sage Puts himself in the background; but is always to the fore. Remains outside; but is always there. Is it not just because he does not strive for any personal end That all his personal ends are fulfilled?
林语堂
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Stephen Mitchell
The Tao is infinite, eternal. Why is it eternal? It was never born; thus it can never die. Why is it infinite? It has no desires for itself; thus it is present for all beings. The Master stays behind; that is why she is ahead. She is detached from all things; that is why she is one with them. Because she has let go of herself, she is perfectly fulfilled.