第四十四章

立戒

名与身孰亲?

身与货孰多?

得与亡孰病?

是故甚爱必大费;

多藏必厚亡。

知足不辱,知止不殆,可以长久。

王弼注

名与身孰亲?

尚名好高,其身必疏。

身与货孰多?

贪货无厌,其身必少。

得与亡孰病?

得多利而亡其身,何者为病也。

是故甚爱必大费,多藏必厚亡,

甚爱不与物通,多藏不与物散,求之者多,攻之者众,为物所病,故大费厚亡也。

知足不辱,知止不殆,可以长久。

英译 · James Legge

Cautions

Or fame or life,

Which do you hold more dear?

Or life or wealth,

To which would you adhere?

Keep life and lose those other things;

Keep them and lose your life: - which brings

Sorrow and pain more near?

Thus we may see,

Who cleaves to fame

Rejects what is more great;

Who loves large stores

Gives up the richer state.

Who is content

Needs fear no shame.

Who knows to stop

Incurs no blame.

From danger free

Long live shall he.