《德道经》

帛书版 熊春锦老师校对

第一章

上德不德，是以有德。

(Those who) possessed in highest degree the attributes (of the Tao) did not (seek)to show them, and therefore they possessed them (in fullest measure).

下德不失德；是以无德。

(Those who) possessed in a lower degree those attributes (sought how) not to lose them, and therefore they did not possess them (in fullest measure).

上德无为而无以为也。

(Those who) possessed in the highest degree those attributes did nothing (with a purpose), and had no need to do anything. (Those who) possessed in a lower degree those attributes (sought how)not to lose them, and therefore they did not possess them (in fullest measure).

上仁为之，而无以为也；

(Those who) possessed the highest benevolence were (always seeking) to carry it out, and had no need to be doing so.

上义为之，而有以为也。

(Those who) possessed the highest righteousness were (always seeking) to carry it out, and had need to be so doing.

上礼为之而莫之应也，则攘臂而乃之。

(Those who) possessed the highest (sense of) propriety were (always seeking) to show it, and when men did not respond to it, they bared the arm and marched up to them.

故失道而后德，

Thus it was that when the Tao was lost, its attributes appeared;

失德而后仁，

when its attributes were lost, benevolence appeared;

失仁而后义，

when benevolence was lost, righteousness appeared;

失义而后礼。

and when righteousness was lost, the proprieties appeared.

夫礼者，忠信之泊也，而乱之首也。

Now propriety is the attenuated form of leal-heartedness and good faith, and is also the commencement of disorder;

前识者，道之华也，而愚之首也。

swift apprehension is (only) a flower of the Tao, and is the beginning of stupidity.

是以大丈夫居其厚，而不居其泊，

Thus it is that the Great man abides by what is solid, and eschews what is flimsy;

居其实，而不居其华。

dwells with the fruit and not with the flower.

故去皮取此。

It is thus that he puts away the one and makes choice of the other.