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39. Support
In mythical times all things were whole:
All the sky was clear,
All the earth was stable,
All the mountains were firm,
All the riverbeds were full,
All of nature was fertile,
And all the rulers were supported.
But, losing clarity, the sky tore;
Losing stability, the earth split;
Losing strength, the mountains sank;
Losing water, the riverbeds cracked;
Losing fertility, nature disappeared;
And losing support, the rulers fell.
Rulers depend upon their subjects,
The noble depend upon the humble;
So rulers call themselves orphaned, hungry and alone,
To win the people's support.
【原文】
昔之得一者:
天得一以清;
地得一以宁;
谷得一以盈;
万物得一以生;
侯王得一以为天下正。
其致之也。
天无以清,将恐裂;
地无以宁,将恐发;
神无以灵,将恐歇;
谷无以盈,将恐竭;
万物无以生,将恐灭;
侯王无以贵高,将恐蹶。
故贵以贱为本,高以下为基。
是以侯王自谓孤、寡、不谷。
此非以贱为本邪?非乎?
故致数誉,无誉。
不欲琭琭如玉,珞珞如石。 |
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