第五十一章
[原文]
道生之,德畜之,物形之,势①成之。是以万物莫不尊道而贵德。道之尊,德之贵,夫莫之命而常自然②。故道生之,德畜之,长之育之,亭之毒之③;养④之覆⑤之。生而不有,为而不恃,长而不宰,是谓玄德⑥。
[译文]
道生成万事万物,德养育万事万物。万事万物虽现出各种各样的形态,环境使万事万物成长起来。故此,万事万物莫不尊崇道而珍贵德。道之所以被尊崇,德所以被珍贵,就是由于道生长万物而不加以干涉,德畜养万物而不加以主宰,顺其自然。因而,道生长万物,德养育万物,使万物生长发展,成熟结果,使其受到抚养、保护。生长万物而不居为己有,抚育万物而不自恃有功,导引万物而不主宰,这就是奥妙玄远的德。
[注释]
1、势:万物生长的自然环境。一说:势者,力也;一说,对立。
2、莫之命而常自然:不干涉或主宰万物,而任万物自化自成。
3、亭之毒之:一本作成之熟之。
4、养:爱养、护养。
5、覆:维护、保护。
6、玄德:即上德。它产生万物而不居为己有,养育万物而不自恃有功。
[引语]
这一章是着重讲“德”的作用,可以看作是三十八章的继续。老子在这章里再一次发挥了“道”以“无为”的方式生养了万物的思想。本章里的“玄德”即“上德”。老子认为,“道”生长万物,“德”养育万物,但“道”和“德”并不干涉万物的生长繁衍,而是顺其自然。“德”是“道”的化身,是“道”的人世间的具体作用。万物成长的过程是:一、万物由“道”产生;二、“道”生万物之后,又内在于万物,成为万物各自的本性;三、万物依据各自的本性而发展个别独特的存在;四、周围环境的培养,使各物生长成熟。
赵彦春:
The Word bears it;
The virtue rears it;
The matter forms it;
The mettle moves it.
Therefore, there’s nothing that does not revere the Word and treasure the virtue.
The Word is revered and the virtue is treasured
Because they let everything be rather than making it do.
Therefore, the Word bears, the virtue rears,
Letting it grow, bud, blow and seed
While caring it and nurturing it.
Bearing it but not seizing it,
Rearing it but not pushing it,
Guiding it but not reigning it,
This is the greatest virtue.
James Legge:
All things are produced by the Tao, and nourished by its outflowing operation. They receive their forms according to the nature of each, and are completed according to the circumstances of their condition. Therefore all things without exception honour the Tao, and exalt its outflowing operation.
This honouring of the Tao and exalting of its operation is not the result of any ordination, but always a spontaneous tribute.
Thus it is that the Tao produces (all things), nourishes them, brings them to their full growth, nurses them, completes them, matures them, maintains them, and overspreads them.
It produces them and makes no claim to the possession of them; it carries them through their processes and does not vaunt its ability in doing so; it brings them to maturity and exercises no control over them;--this is called its mysterious operation.
Arthur Waley:
Tao gave them birth;
The “power” of Tao reared them,
Shaped them according to their kinds,
Perfected them, giving to each its strength.
Therefore
Of the ten thousand things there is not one that does not worship Tao
And do homage to its “power”.
No mandate ever went forth that accorded to Tao the right to be worshipped,
Nor to its “power” the right to be worshipped,
Nor to its “power” the right to receive homage.
It was always and of itself so.
Therefore as Tao bore them and the “power” of Tao reared them,
Made them grow, fostered them,
Harboured them,
Brewed for them,
So you must rear them, but not lay claim to them,
Control them, but never lean upon them,
Be chief among them, but not manage them.
This is called the mysterious power.”
林语堂:
Tao gives them birth,
Teh (character) fosters them.
The material world gives them form.
The circumstances of the moment complete them.
Therefore all things of the universe worship Tao and exalt Teh.
Tao is worshipped and Teh is exalted
Without anyone's order but is so of its own accord.
Therefore Tao gives them birth,
Teh fosters them,
Makes them grow, develops them,
Gives them a harbor, a place to dwell in peace,
Feeds them and shelter them.
It gives them birth and does not own them,
Acts (helps) and does not appropriate them,
Is superior, and does not control them.
- This is the Mystic Virtue.
许渊冲:
Everything grows in accordance with the divine law:
it is bred in its internal virtue,
formed by its environment,
and completed by external influence.
That is why all things
obey the divine law
and value their own virtue
The divine law is omnimpotent
and virtue is valuable.
None orders them to obey,
but they obey naturally.
In accordance with the divine law
all things are born and bred in their virtue,
grown up and developped,
completed and matured,
protected and sheltered.
Creation without possession,
Such is the mysterious virtue.
辜正坤:
Tao begets all creatures;
Teh(virtue)rears them;
Forces in opposition accomplish them.
Therefore all creature
Worship Tao and honor Teh.
This worship and honor stems from the fact
That Tao and Teh(virtue) never unnaturally
Impose their influence on all creatures.
In this way
Tao begets all creatures;
Teh (virtue) rears them,
Promotes them, nutures them,
Brings them to fruition and maturity,
Meanwhile maintains and defends them.
Giving them life
without claiming to be their owner;
Availing them
without claiming to be their benefactor;
And being their head
without ruling them;
All these are called
the most intrinsic Teh (virtue).
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