『道德经 第十七章 』（悠兮其贵言）

 道德经上篇：《道经》

 

 第十七章

 

【原文】

太上①下知有之；其次亲而誉之。其次畏之。其次侮之。信不足焉，有不信焉。悠兮其贵言③。功成事遂③，百姓皆谓：我自然。

 

【注释】　　

①太上：最上等的。

②贵言：珍惜言辞，即很少发号施令。

③事遂：把事情做好了。

 

【译文】

圣人治民，人民感受不到他的存在。 其次的统治者，人民亲近他、赞誉他；再次的统治者，人民畏惧他。 更次的统治者，人民轻蔑他。统治者的威信不足，人民才不相信他。圣人施道，悠闲自在，少发号施令。事情办成功了，老百姓会认为："我们本来就是这样的"。

 

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