『道德經 第十七章 』（悠兮其貴言）

 道德經上篇：《道經》

 

 第十七章

 

【原文】

太上①下知有之；其次親而譽之。其次畏之。其次侮之。信不足焉，有不信焉。悠兮其貴言③。功成事遂③，百姓皆謂：我自然。

 

【注釋】　　

①太上：最上等的。

②貴言：珍惜言辭，即很少發號施令。

③事遂：把事情做好了。

 

【譯文】

聖人治民，人民感受不到他的存在。 其次的統治者，人民親近他、讚譽他；再次的統治者，人民畏懼他。 更次的統治者，人民輕蔑他。統治者的威信不足，人民才不相信他。聖人施道，悠閑自在，少發號施令。事情辦成功了，老百姓會認為："我們本來就是這樣的"。

 

English Translation

Version 1：by Daniel Baida Su and Shangyu Chen

 

With the highest and best ruler,
People do not seem to know his presence.
Next comes the ruler who is loved and praised;
Next comes the ruler who is feared;
Next comes the ruler who is despised.
Distrust is due to lack of faith.
Tao moves freely as he wishes;
He has no need to give commands.
However, when a great work is completed,
People say the occurrence is natural.

 

Version 2：by John C. H. Wu