道德經聚會主題（1）- 上德不德

聚會日期：12月20日，12點

探討內容：居實自華

帛本：

上德不德，是以有德；下德不失德，是以無德。上德無為，而無以為也。上仁為之，而無以為也。上義為之，而有以為也。上禮為之而莫之應也，則攘臂而扔之。故失道。失道矣而後德，失德而後仁，失仁而後義，失義而後禮。夫禮者，忠信之薄也，而亂之首也。前識者，道之華也，而愚之首也。是以大丈夫居其厚而不居其薄。居其實而不居其華。故去彼取此 。

參照其他本（通行本 38 章）：

上 德 不德，是以有德；下德不失德，是以無德。上德無為而無以為；下德無為而有以為。上仁為之而無以為；上義為之而有以為。上禮為之而莫之應，則攘臂而扔之。故失 道 而後德，失德而後仁，失仁而後義，失義而後禮。夫禮者，忠信之薄，而亂之首。前識者，道之華，而愚之始。是以大丈夫處其厚，不居其薄；處其實，不居其華。故去彼取此。

英文對照（Muller）：

38.1 True virtue is not virtuous Therefore it has virtue. Superficial virtue never fails to be virtuous Therefore it has no virtue.
38.2 True virtue does not "act" And has no intentions. Superficial virtue "acts" And always has intentions.
38.3 True jen "acts" But has no intentions. True righteousness "acts" but has intentions. True propriety "acts" and if you don't respond They will roll up their sleeves and threaten you.
38.4 Thus, when the Tao is lost there is virtue When virtue is lost there is jen When jen is lost there is Justice And when Justice is lost there is propriety.
38.5 Now "propriety" is the external appearance of loyalty and sincerity And the beginning of disorder. Occult abilities are just flowers of the Tao And the beginning of foolishness.
38.6 Therefore the Master dwells in the substantial And not in the superficial. Rests in the fruit and not in the flower. So let go of that and grasp this.

（另一個英文版本，理解翻譯者的不同解釋）

True virtues are not from this world,
Therefore they are true virtues
The so-called “virtues” in this world
Serve only self-interest
Therefore those are not true virtues
One who only serves the general interest, is truthfully adequate
One who is called charitable in this world,
Expects thankfulness in return
One who is called honest in this world,
Has a hidden agenda
Those who have been adapted to this world
Demand that others do the same
And if not they threaten you and get angry
Therefore, when people stray from the straight and simple road
Then they start to act virtuously, but they are not virtuous
They pretend to be honest, but they are not fair
They act decently, but they are not decent
Civilization is just a thin crust across unfaithfulness and dishonesty
It is also the source of disorder and chaos
A wise man never hides behind a mask
He trusts what’s inside of him, not in appearances
Therefore he rejects appearance and embraces the essence