道德經 第2章道德经 第2章
老子老子
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天天下下皆皆知知美美之之為为美美
斯斯惡恶已已
皆皆知知善善之之為为善善
斯斯不不善善已已
故故有有無无相相生生
難难易易相相成成
長长短短相相較较
高高下下相相傾倾
音音聲声相相和和
前前後后相相隨随
是是以以聖圣人人處处無无為为之之事事
行行不不言言之之教教
萬万物物作作焉焉而而不不辭辞
生生而而不不有有
為为而而不不恃恃
功功成成而而弗弗居居
夫夫唯唯弗弗居居
是是以以不不去去
Translation
All in the world know the beauty of the beautiful, and in doing this they have (the idea of) what ugliness is; they all know the skill of the skilful, and in doing this they have (the idea of) what the want of skill is. So it is that existence and non-existence give birth the one to (the idea of) the other; that difficulty and ease produce the one (the idea of) the other; that length and shortness fashion out the one the figure of the other; that (the ideas of) height and lowness arise from the contrast of the one with the other; that the musical notes and tones become harmonious through the relation of one with another; and that being before and behind give the idea of one following another. Therefore the sage manages affairs without doing anything, and conveys his instructions without the use of speech. All things spring up, and there is not one which declines to show itself; they grow, and there is no claim made for their ownership; they go through their processes, and there is no expectation (of a reward for the results). The work is accomplished, and there is no resting in it (as an achievement). The work is done, but how no one can see; 'Tis this that makes the power not cease to be.
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