老子《道德经》第二十四章英译
【原文】
企者不立；跨者不行；自见者不明；自是者不彰；自伐者无功；自矜者不长。
其在道也，曰：馀食赘形。物或恶之，故有道者不处。
【现代汉语】
踮起脚跟是站不稳的；大跨步行进是不能持久的；自我表现是不能被人瞩目的；自以为是是不能得到认可的；自我夸耀是不能建立功勋的；自命不凡是不会长久的。
从‘道’的观点来看，这些急躁、矫饰的行为好像剩饭赘肉一样，是招人厌恶的，所以有道的人是不会这样做的。
【英译】
He who stands on his tiptoes can not stand firm; he who stretches his legs can not walk easily. So, self-expression will not be focused; self-righteous behavior will not be recognized; self-display will not be regarded as contribution; self-glorification will make people stop.
These kind of behavior, viewed from the standpoint of the Tao, are like remnants of food, or a tumour on the body, which all dislike. So those who pursue the course of the Tao do not adopt and allow them. |
