The original text and translation of Zhuangzi's outer chapter "Heaven and Earth".

【Solution】

Named after the first two characters, Heaven and Earth is composed of 14 parts, which mainly discuss the origin and nature of all things in heaven and earth, and how human beings should live with them. The core idea of this article is "rule by inaction", which advocates conforming to nature, not interfering with the development of things, and allowing all things to grow and change naturally. Zhuangzi believes that human wisdom and effort cannot change the nature of things, but can disrupt the balance and harmony of nature. Therefore, human beings should give up control and intervention in things and let nature develop according to its own laws. This article also touches on a number of philosophical, ethical, and political issues, such as moral relativity, human freedom, and happiness.

The main purpose of this article is to expound the idea of "rule by doing nothing". The author pointed out that the ancient monarchs, although they were on the throne, had no intention of governing the world, but only imitated the "inaction" of heaven, so the people could be autonomous and self-reliant, and the world would always be peaceful. When the Yellow Emperor lost his "heavenly virtue" and came to the world with a "promising" heart, the people began to know the name of benevolence, righteousness and faithfulness, and then sprouted the heart of "thief harm", and since then the ancient and simple style has disappeared. The generations of Tang Yao, Yu Shun, Xia Yu, and King Wu of Zhou not only did not take this as a warning, but instead added fuel to the fire, such as benevolence, etiquette, punishment, wisdom, etc., all of which became their tools to rule the people, causing the natural nature of human beings to be greatly destroyed, and the world was in chaos to an unimaginable level. Witnessing such a fact, all the "promising" kings in the future generations should feel chilled and ashamed, completely withdraw their hands, and "take non-action as nature".

By studying this article, we have learned to relax our minds in life, not to force, not to deliberately pursue something that does not belong to us. There is also the view of "contentment and happiness", which reminds us to cherish the happiness in front of us, not to pursue material enjoyment too much, and to know more about gratitude and contentment.

[Original]

Although the heavens and the earth are large, they are all equalized, although there are many things, they rule one, and although there are many people, so is their lords. Jun was originally in virtue and became in the sky. Therefore, it is said: The king of the ancient world, there is nothing to do, and there is only virtue. The monarch of the world is righteous with the Taoist view, the righteousness of the monarch and the minister is divided by the Taoist view, the official rule of the world is able by the Taoist view, and the preparation of all things is prepared by the Taoist view. Therefore, those who are through heaven and earth are also virtuous, those who walk in all things are also Taoist, those who govern people are also things, and those who can have art are also skilled. Skill and matter, matter and righteousness, righteousness and morality, virtue and morality, and the Tao and heaven. Therefore, it is said: The ancient animals in the world are full of the world without desire, everything is turned into nothing by doing nothing, and the people are quiet and determined. "Notes" says: "Through one and everything is done, there is no intention and the ghosts and gods are convinced." ”

The master said, "Husband, the one who carries all things is also very big! A gentleman cannot be careless." Doing nothing is the sky, doing nothing is the virtue, loving people and things is benevolence, different is big, not different is wide, and there are thousands of differences are rich. Therefore, the meaning of virtue is discipline, the meaning of virtue is standing, and the preparation of following the road is not the end of the frustration of things. If a gentleman knows these ten, he will be able to do things with great heart, and he will be able to pass away for all things. If so, they will hide gold in the mountains and pearls in the abyss, and they will not be good for goods and wealth, and they will not be close to the rich, they will not be happy and long-lived, they will not mourn, they will not be prosperous, and they will not be ugly and poor. Do not stick to the interests of the world for your own selfishness, and do not take the king of the world as your own place. Obvious is obvious. All things are the same, and life and death are the same. ”

The master said: "The husband's way is as deep as his dwelling, and it is as clear as his habitation." The golden stone must not be without sound. Therefore, the golden stone has a voice, and it is not a sound if it is not examined. The man who is the king of virtue is ashamed to know things, and he knows the truth of the original and knows the gods, so his virtue is wide. Out of his heart, there is something to pick. Therefore, the form is not the Tao, and the birth is not the virtue. Existence is poor, virtue is clear, and those who are not virtuous are evil! Suddenly, they move violently, and all things come from it! This is called the person of Wang De. Look at the darkness, listen to the silence. In the darkness, you can see and know alone, and in the silence, you can hear and hear alone. Therefore, it is deep and deep and can be subtle, and God is divine and can be refined. Therefore, it is connected with all things, to nothing and to supply its needs, and when it comes to its stay, size, length, and repair. ”

The Yellow Emperor swam to the north of Chishui, climbed to the hill of Kunlun and looked south. Return it and leave its pearls. So that you can't ask for it, you can't leave Zhu Suo, and you can't ask for it. but to make the image reckless, and the image to reckless. The Yellow Emperor said: "It's strange, what can you get?"

Yao's teacher said Xu You, Xu You's teacher said that he was lacking, and the teacher who was lacking was called Wang Ni, and Wang Ni's teacher was said to be clothed. Yao asked Yu Xu You and said: "Can the lack be matched with the heavens? Xu You said: "Oh no, the world is full of garbage! He is also a human being, wise and wise, and sensitive to numbers, and his character is outstanding, and he is a human being." He has forbidden, but he does not know the cause of his transgression. It is with the sky, and the other is lawless. Fang and itself is different, Fang and respect and fire, Fang and Xu, Fang and for the object, Fang and look around and the thing should be, Fang and should be appropriate, Fang and materialization and not the beginning of the constant. Although there are clans and ancestors, they can be fathers but not fathers. Governance, the rate of chaos, the scourge of the north, and the thieves of the south. ”

Yao looked at Hua, and Hua Feng said: "Hey, saint, please wish the saint a life." Yao said: "Resignation." "Make the saints rich. Yao said: "Resignation." "Make the saints many. Yao said: "Resignation." Feng Ren said: "Longevity, wealth, many men, people do what they want." Women don't want to be alone, what is evil?" Yao said: "If there are many men, they will be more afraid, if they are rich, they will be more troublesome, and if they live longer, they will be humiliated." It is the three, not so to raise virtue, so it is a resignation. Feng Ren said: "At the beginning, I regarded women as saints and evil, and now I am a gentleman." All nations are born, and they must be conferred. If there are many men who give the office, then there is no fear of being rich and making people share, and what is there of a husband and saint, quail dwells and eats, and birds walk without showing. If there is a way in the world, it will prosper with things, and if there is no way in the world, then the cultivation of virtue will be idle. Chitose is disgusted with the world, goes to the immortals, rides the white clouds, and goes to the emperor's hometown. If there are no three troubles, and the body is always harmless, what is the shame?" Feng Ren said: "Retreat!"

Yao ruled the world, and Bo Chengzi Gao Li became a prince. Yao gave Shun, Shun gave Yu, and Bo Chengzi resigned to plough for the princes. When Yu saw it, he ploughed in the wild. Yu tended to have the upper hand, immediately asked, and said: "Xi Yao ruled the world, and my son was established as a prince." Yao granted Shun, Shun granted, and my son resigned for the princes and ploughed. Dare to ask why?" Zi Gao said: "In the past, Yao ruled the world, and the people persuaded him without reward, and the people feared him without punishment." Now the son rewards and punishes the people and is unkind, virtue has declined since then, punishment has been established since then, and the chaos of the future generations has since begun!

At the beginning of Thailand, there was nothing, and there was no name. One arises, and one is not formed. Virtue is said to be born of things; the unformed have a share, and there is no life for the inseparable; living things are left in motion, and things become physiologically called shapes; the body protects the gods, and each has its own rites; and the sexual cultivation of virtue is the same as the beginning. The same is the void, and the void is great. Beak snapping. The beak is in harmony with heaven and earth. If it is stupid, it is called Xuande, and it is the same as Dashun.

The master asked Yu Lao Dan and said, "If someone rules the Tao and lets it go, is it okay, but it is not." The debater said: 'Away from Jianbai, if the county lives.' 'If so, can you be called a saint?' Lao Dan said: "It's Xu Yi's technical department, and he is also a person who is tired of work." The dog that stayed became a thought, and the ape sniped from the mountains and forests. The mound is told if it is, but what cannot be heard and what cannot be spoken: all who have a head and a toe, and who have no heart and no ears, and who have no form and no form, and who exist. Its movement is also stopped, its death and life are also, and its abolition is also abolished, which is not its reason. There is a cure in the people. Forget things, forget the sky, its name is forget yourself. Those who forget themselves are said to enter the heavens. ”

Seeing Ji Che, the general said: "Lu Jun also said: 'Please be taught.'" 'I can't get my life. It has been decided, and it is unknown whether it is in the middle or not. Please try it. I said to Lu Jun: 'I will be obedient and frugal, pull out the loyal subordinates without selfishness, and the people dare not do it!'" Ji Che said with a smile: "If the words of the master are in the virtue of the emperor, and the angry arm of the praying mantis is used as a chariot, then it will not be competent! And if it is, then it will be in danger, and its viewing platform will be full of people." The general Lu Feng looked at it and exclaimed: "It is also true to what the master said! Ji Che said: "The great sage rules the world, shakes the hearts of the people, makes it a religion and a vulgarity, and destroys its thief's heart and enters its own will." If sex is self-acting, and the people do not know the reason for it. If so, how can Brother Yao and Shun's sectarians be like brothers?

Zigong traveled south to Chu, against Jin, through Hanyin, saw a zhang people will be a nursery, dig a tunnel and enter the well, hold the urn and out of the irrigation, suddenly exert a lot of force and see little success. Zigong said: "There is a weapon here, a day to soak a hundred furrows, with little effort and see a lot of work, the master does not want to care?" for the nursery to look up and said: "What?" said: "Chisel wood for the machine, the back is heavy and the front is light, if the water is pumped, the number is like a soup, its name is the tree." He smiled at the gardener's anger and said: "I have heard my teacher, those who have machines must have organic things, and those who have organic things must have organic hearts." If the heart is stored in the chest, it is pure white. If pure white is not prepared, God is uncertain, and if God is uncertain, the Tao is not carried. I don't know, I'm ashamed. Zigong was ashamed and bowed down. There was a time when the gardener said: "Zixi is evil?" and said: "The disciples of Confucius are also." The gardener said: "Zifeifu is erudite to imitate the saint, so that he can cover the people, and the solitary string lamentation is to sell his reputation in the world? ”

Zigong was disgraced, and he was not complacent, and he walked thirty miles and then healed. His disciple said, "What is the evil of the person who is Xiang? Why did the master see that his face changed and he did not turn against the evil all day long?" He said: "At the beginning, I thought that there was only one person in the world, but I didn't know that there was a wife. The Master of My Hearing: Seek success in everything, seek success, use less effort, see more merit, and the way of the sage. Not today. Those who practice the Tao are virtuous, those who are virtuous are complete, and those who are virtuous are complete, and those who are full are spiritual. God is the whole, and the way of the saints is also. Nursery students go hand in hand with the people and don't know what they do, it's so simple! Utilitarian ingenuity must forget the heart of the lady. If the lady is not his will, he will not do it, and he will not do it. Although it is praised by the world, it is worthy of its so-called, and it is ignored; The world's reputation is not good or bad, it is a person who is all virtuous! I am a people of turmoil. "Contrary to Lu, to sue Confucius. Confucius said: "He is also a pretend cultivator of the Chaos Clan." Recognize one and not the other, and govern the inside but not the outside. The husband understands that he is in the prime, he is simple in his inaction, he holds the spirit of his body, and he is in the world, and he will be shocked by the evil spirits, and the art of the chaos clan will be enough to know it with you!"

The big gully of the east is suitable for the garden wind on the coast of the East China Sea. Yuan Feng said: "The son will be Xi Zhi?" said: "The big gully." He said: "Xi Weiyan?" said: "The husband is also a thing, and he is dissatisfied with it, and he is inexhaustible." I will wander!" Yuan Feng said: "The master has no intention of being a cross-eyed people. He said: "The holy rule is to govern the officials without losing their appropriateness, to promote without losing their ability, to do what they do when they see their situation, and to do what they do and turn the world into a world." Scratching the fingers of the hands, the people of the Quartet are all coming, this is called holy governance. "May I hear the virtuous people. He said: "A virtuous person is thoughtless, careless, and does not hide right and wrong, beauty and evil." Within the four seas, the common benefit is happy, and the common giving is peace. If the baby loses its mother, if it does it, it loses its way. There is more money than enough money and does not know where it comes from, and the food is enough and does not know where it comes from, which is called the appearance of a virtuous person. "Hear the man of God." He said: "The gods take the light and perish with the form, which means illuminating the wilderness." Deadly, heaven and earth are happy and everything is gone, and all things are restored, which is called chaos. ”

There are no ghosts in the door and Chizhang Manji are in the army of King Wu, and Chizhang Manji said: "It's not as good as Yu's family! There are no ghosts in the door, and he said: "The world is evenly governed, and there is the evil of the Yu family's rule? The filial son exercises medicine to cultivate his father, and his color is burning, and the saint is ashamed. In the world of virtue, it is not virtuous, it is not enabled, it is like a standard branch, and the people are like wild deer. Be upright and don't know what is righteous, love but don't know how to be benevolent, be honest but don't know how to be loyal, be honest and don't know what to believe, and be stupid and don't think it's giving. It is a deed without a trace, and a thing without a pass.

A filial son does not flatter his parents, and loyal ministers do not flatter his monarch, which is the best performance of a courtier and a son. If what the parents say is correct and what they do is good, then the world will think that it is an unworthy son, and if the monarch is right and what he does is good, then the world will think that he is an unworthy son. But is the world's view correct? What the world thinks is right, people will say that it is correct, and what the world thinks is good, people will say that it is good, and this is called not having their own opinions.

If what the world affirms is true, people should flatter, and if what the world affirms is wrong, people should flatter. However, worldly opinions are not static, and sometimes what the world affirms is right and sometimes what the world affirms is wrong. If the world's view is wrong and people flatter, that's the greatest flattery. So, worldly views are not static, sometimes right and sometimes wrong. Nowadays, secular people follow the crowd in their words and deeds, and they have no opinions of their own.

They use their flamboyant appearances to disguise their ignorance and stupidity in order to please the world, not knowing that they have fallen into the trap of flattery. Together with the worldly people, they do not distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil, just to cater to the tastes of the world, without knowing that they have become slaves of the world. This kind of person is the greatest stupidity. Those who know that they are stupid are not the most stupid, and those who know that they are deluded are not the most deluded. The most deluded people are those who do not know their stupidity and delusion all their lives. Threesome, one of them is confused, and the other two can reach the destination because there are few people who are confused, and if both of them are confused, then it will be in vain, because there are many people who are confused.

Now everyone in the world is confused, and although I have my own pursuits, I can't achieve them. Isn't that sad? Profound speech is not accepted by the world, and noble behavior is not understood by the world. Therefore, a person with a high opinion will not be accepted by the world, and a person with noble deeds will not be understood by the world. Because worldly words and deeds are superficial and vulgar. If you play the piece with two threads, then you can't get harmonious music. Nowadays, secular people follow the crowd in their words and deeds, and they have no opinions of their own. They use their flamboyant appearances to disguise their ignorance and stupidity in order to please the world, not knowing that they have fallen into the trap of flattery.

Together with the worldly people, they do not distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil, just to cater to the tastes of the world, without knowing that they have become slaves of the world. This kind of person is the greatest stupidity. Those who know that they are stupid are not the most stupid, and those who know that they are deluded are not the most deluded. The most deluded people are those who do not know their stupidity and delusion all their lives.

Threesome, one of them is confused, and the other two can reach the destination because there are few people who are confused, and if both of them are confused, then it will be in vain, because there are many people who are confused. Now everyone in the world is confused, and although I have my own pursuits, I can't achieve them. Isn't that sad? Those who have superb insights, who give birth to a child in the middle of the night, will be eager to see him, lest he look like themselves. Why is that? Because they think they're ugly. This kind of person is the stupidest person. They don't know how ugly they are, but instead think they're beautiful. They use hypocritical words and deeds to cover up their ugliness in order to please the world, without knowing that they have fallen into the trap of flattery. Together with the worldly people, they do not distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil, just to cater to the tastes of the world, without knowing that they have become slaves of the world. This kind of person is the greatest stupidity.

A hundred years of wood, broken for the sacrificial respect, green and yellow and text, its broken in the ditch. Compared with the judgment in the ditch, there is a difference between beauty and evil, and it is also a loss of nature. Plantar and Zeng, history, there is a difference between righteousness, but its loss of nature is also. And there are five kinds of loss of sex: one is that the eyes are confused by five colors, so that the eyes are not clear, the second is that the ears are confused by five sounds, so that the ears are deaf, the third is that the nose is smoky, and the mouth is sleepy, and the fourth is that the mouth is turbid with five flavors, which makes the mouth refreshing, and the fifth is that the fun is smooth and the heart is smooth, so that the sex is flying. These five are all harmful. And Yang and Mo are starting to think they have gained, not what I call it. The husband is sleepy, can be gained, then the dove owl is in the cage, can also be gained. And the husband is interested in the sound and color of the firewood, and the leather sandpiper crown is repaired by the gentry to make an appointment with the outside. The inner branch is in the firewood fence, and the outer heavy payment is clearly in the middle of the payment, and the self-righteousness is that the sinner is pointing at the arm and the tiger and leopard are in the shackle, which can also be obtained!

【Translation】

Although the heavens and the earth are vast, they give equal and unbiased to all things; although all things are complicated, they all survive and develop according to their own laws; although there are many people, their ruler is only the monarch. The monarch rules the world out of virtue and is formed by the way of heaven, so the ancient monarch ruled the world only by doing nothing and conforming to the virtue of heaven and nature. If we govern from the standpoint of the way of heaven, then the monarch will be a just king; if we use the way of heaven to observe and analyze things, then the morality between the monarch and the minister can be clarified; in the same way, if we use the way of heaven to observe and analyze people's ability, then the official positions of the world can be governed; and if we use the way of heaven to observe everything extensively, then the law of change of all things can be completely grasped.

Therefore, those who are connected with heaven and earth rely on the virtue of the way of heaven, those who can pass through all things rely on the way of heaven, those who rule the people in a high position rely on the service of governance, and those who have many talents rely on skill. Skills serve affairs, affairs are governed by justice, justice is governed by morality, morality is governed by heaven, and heaven is governed by heaven, so it is said: the ancient monarchs who ruled the world did not have the heart of greed and the world was rich, and naturally did nothing and all things were self-generated, like the deep water, and the people were stable. The book says: "All things will be reduced to nothing, and the mind will have no desires and the ghosts and gods will be respected." ”

Confucius said: "The Tao is the carrier of all things, how vast and grand it is! A gentleman cannot fail to open his heart." Dealing with things with an attitude that conforms to nature is called heavenly principle, speaking with an attitude that conforms to nature is called virtue, caring for the people and benefiting all things is called benevolence, treating different things the same is called greatness, acting without being unconventional is called being wide, and things are ever-changing, which is called wealth. Therefore, holding morality is called discipline, establishing morality is called standing, following the Tao is called perfection, and not disturbing the mind because of external objects is called perfection. When a gentleman understands these ten aspects, he will be broad-minded and virtuous, and will make all things flow smoothly like a surging river. In this way, you will hide your gold in the mountains and your pearls in the depths, and you will not use your possessions and seek riches, you will not rejoice in your longevity, you will not mourn because you die, you will not be glorious because of your understanding, and you will not be ashamed of your poverty. He does not regard worldly interests as his duty, and does not regard ruling the world as his own manifestation. If you are prominent, you will show that all things are a whole, and life and death are the same. ”

Confucius said, "The Tao is as deep and clear as the water in the abyss." Metal and stone were originally silent, and it was the striking that made them sound. Therefore, the sound of metal and stone is due to the action of external forces. Who can be sure of this change in all things! Those who are virtuous have died in obscurity, but their spirit lives on through the ages, and their virtues influence posterity. Their ideas are inherited by future generations. Therefore, if the norms do not conform to the Tao, they cannot arise, and if the life does not conform to virtue, they will not be manifested. Isn't this a person with high morals? Infinite changes, and all things obey it! This is a person with high morals. They watched silently and listened silently. In this silence they saw the light alone, and in this silence they heard the sound of harmony alone.

Therefore, their understanding of the Tao is becoming more and more profound, and their understanding of virtue is becoming more and more subtle. As a result, they are in contact with all things, able to meet the needs of all things as much as possible, and able to gallop at any time and stay wherever they go, no matter how big or small, long or short, far or near. ”

The Yellow Emperor played on the north shore of Chishui, climbing the hills of Kunlun Mountain to look south. On the way back, he lost Xuanzhu. The Yellow Emperor asked Zhi to look for it, but he didn't find it, let Li Zhu go to look for it, but Li Zhu didn't find it, and asked Zhu to look for it, but he didn't find it. So, the Yellow Emperor asked Xiang Gang to look for it, and Xiang Gang found it. The Yellow Emperor said, "It's strange! How can Xiang Yan find it?"

Yao's teacher is called Xu You, Xu You's teacher is called Rodent, the teacher is called Wang Ni, and Wang Ni's teacher is called Quilt Clothes. Yao asked Xu You, "Can you be the Son of Heaven if you are lacking?" I want to invite him with the help of Wang Ni. Xu You said: "Danger, he will bring disaster to the world! This man is wise, agile and capable, his character surpasses that of ordinary people, and he uses his human mind to comprehend the way of nature." He understands how to prohibit fault, but does not know where it comes from. Can he match the way of heaven? He just relies on human wisdom and does not conform to the way of heaven. He values his body, but his body and mind are inconsistent, he respects wisdom but is bound by it, he is able to enslave all things, he can look at all things and correspond to all things, but he cannot persevere. How could he be compatible with the Heavenly Dao! Even so, he has a family and ancestors, and he can become people's grandmasters, but he can't be people's grandmasters. Governing the world is the root cause of social turmoil and the calamity that causes people to turn their backs from the north to the south. ”

Yao went to Huadi to inspect, and the people who guarded the frontier in Huadi wished him a long life. Yao said, "No need. "The people who guarded the frontier wished him rich. Yao said, "No need. The guardian of the frontier wished him more sons. Yao said, "No need. The person guarding the frontier said: "Long life, wealth, and having more sons are what people want." You just don't want it, why is that?"

Yao said: "If you have more sons, you will have more worries, if you are rich, you will have more things, and if you live a long life, there will be more shame. None of these three things are used to cultivate virtue, so I don't want them. The guardian said, "At first I regarded you as a saint, but now it seems that you are just a gentleman. They are born with all people, and they will be given certain positions. What is there to worry about having more sons and giving them certain positions? What is there to be rich and shared with people? The saints are as at ease as quails, foraging like chicks waiting to be fed, and like birds flying through the air without leaving a trace. If the world is peaceful, it will prosper with all things, and if the world is not peaceful, it will live in seclusion and cultivate virtue. Lived for a thousand years and then died, left the world and ascended to heaven and became an immortal, riding the white clouds, and arriving at the emperor's hometown. If the three worries are gone, and there will be no calamity in the body, what shame is there?" and when the guards of the frontier departed, Yao followed him and said, "Ask for teachings. The guards of the frontier said, "Go back!"

Yao ruled the world, and Bo Chengzi Gao was made a prince. Yao passed the world to Shun, Shun passed the world to Yu, and Bo Chengzi resigned as a prince to farm. Yu went to see him, he was working in the field. Yu walked quickly to the forefront, stood and asked him, saying, "In the past, Yao ruled the world, and you were made a prince. Yao passed the world to Shun, and Shun passed the world to me, but you resigned as a prince to farm. Excuse me, why is this?" Bo Cheng Zigao said: "In the past, Yao ruled the world, and the people were encouraged without reward, and the people were afraid without punishment. Now you reward and the people are not encouraged, and you punish and the people are not afraid. Virtue has since decayed, punishment has been established, and the troubles of the Hereafter have begun! Why don't you hurry away and don't delay my cultivation!" After speaking, he lowered his head and cultivated hard, and ignored Yu no more.

At the beginning of all things in heaven and earth, there was no "being", there was no "nothing", there was no name for "being" and "nothing". The "one" appeared, but there was no concrete shape yet. All things are born when they get "one", which is called "virtue"; "one" without a specific shape has a distinction between yin and yang, but there is no interruption between yin and yang, which is called "life"; the movement and change of yin and yang qi produce all things, and after all things are generated, each has its own law of growth and change, which is called "form"; all things have their own shape and characteristics, and maintain the harmony between spirit and body, each has its own natural law, which is called "sex"; the nature of all things returns to "one" and "one" through cultivation Merging with all things, this is called "virtue"; "Virtue" is the same as "one", and when a high degree of harmony is reached, it becomes one with heaven and earth. All things merge with each other, in harmony with each other, and become one with heaven and earth. This is the highest state, and this is the great principle of living in harmony with all things in heaven and earth.

Confucius asked Lao Dan for advice: "Is it right or wrong for someone to study the way of governing the country but it seems to deviate from the way of governing the country? 'Can a man like this be called a saint?'

Lao Dan said: "Such people are only people who have mastered some small skills, they are tired of their bodies and painstaking, but they are only like dogs on a leash, bound by worldly fame and fortune." The apes, who are good at climbing, have lost their freedom because of their convenience and have come to the world from the mountains and forests. What I want to tell you, Confucius, is the truth that you cannot hear and the knowledge that you cannot speak: there are many people who have heads and feet, hearts and ears, but there can be no co-existence between tangible things and intangible things, invisible and silent things and tangible and sound things. Their movement, change, demise and growth are not determined by the human will. There are people who govern the country, but they forget the natural nature of things and the principles of heaven, which is called forgetting themselves. Those who have forgotten themselves can become one with the Heavenly Dao. ”

He greeted Ji Che and said, "Lu Jun said to me: 'Please accept my teaching. I can't refuse, I've already told him, but I don't know if it's correct, please let me try to say it. I said to Lu Jun: 'You must be respectful and frugal, select just and loyal subordinates, and do not be partial, so that who dares to discord with the people!'" Ji Che listened to this, and said with a narrow smile: "A remark like yours is like a praying mantis blocking the wheel with its angry arm for the virtue of the emperor, and it must be incompetent! Moreover, like this, he himself will be in danger, and there must be many people in his court, who will go elsewhere to seek refuge." ”

Jiang Lu opened his mouth wide in astonishment, and said, "I am at a loss for what Mr. said! "The great sages ruled over the world," said Gicher, "to shake the hearts of the people, to indoctrinate them and change their customs, to destroy their wicked hearts and to increase their aspirations for solitude." They do what they are, and the people don't know why. In this way, is it still possible to use the elder brother to teach the younger brother? The people want to live with people who share the same virtues, and they think that they are such people!"

Zigong traveled to the southern state of Chu, returned to the Jin state, passed the south bank of the Han River, and saw an old man who was about to do farm work, only to see him digging a tunnel leading to the well, holding a clay pot out to fetch water, and coming and going very hard. Zigong said: "There is a kind of machinery here, which can water hundreds of vegetable furrows every day, with very little force and great effect, don't you want to use it?" The old man who planted vegetables raised his head and looked at Zigong and said, "What should be done?" Zigong said: "Make a machine out of wood, the back is heavy and the front is light, and the water is like pumping water from a well, and it is as fast as boiling water overflowing outward, and its name is Tree." ”

The old man who planted vegetables changed his face and said with a smile: "I heard from my teacher that when there is something like machinery, there will be things like Karakuri, and with things like Karakura, there will be things like change. If the mind is changeable, then the pure and empty state of mind that has not been tainted by the world will not be complete, the pure and empty state of mind will not be complete, then the spirit will not be stable, and the spirit will not be stable, and the spirit will not be stable, then the morality will not be sufficient. If the spirit and morality are not sufficient, then it will not be compatible with the Great Dao. It's not that I don't know, but I'm ashamed to use machinery. Zigong's face was full of shame, and he lowered his head and could not answer. After a while, the old man who planted vegetables said, "What are you doing?" and Zigong said, "I am a disciple of Kongqiu." The old man who planted the vegetables said, "Are you not the one who has great knowledge and tries to imitate the saints, to cover up the crowd with his superiority, and to play the harp alone and sing lamentations to sell fame in the world? ”

After listening to what the old man said, Zigong looked serious, his face was flushed with shame, and he stood there with his head down, unable to say a word. I was stunned and uncomfortable, and it took thirty miles to return to normal. His disciple asked, "What did that person you just met do? Teacher, why did you change your face when you saw him, and you were still disturbed all day long?"

"Originally, I thought that Confucius was the only one who could teach the world, but I didn't know that there was also the person who governed the garden. I heard Confucius say that the requirements for doing things are reasonable and reasonable, the work requires success, and the way of a sage is to use less effort and achieve more results. Now I know that this is not the case. Those who have attained the Tao can keep their natural nature intact, those who have natural nature intact can make their bodies sound and those who are sound in their bodies can make their spirits vigorous, and the way of a saint is to be spiritually vigorous. Those who have attained enlightenment are in the same world as the people, and they do not know where they are going, and they can really be said to be ignorant and simple! Such a person must have no utilitarian and ingenious mind in his heart. People like this don't pursue if they don't fit his ambitions, and don't do what they don't do if they don't fit his thoughts. Even if everyone in the world praised him and agreed with his remarks, he proudly ignored him, and even if the whole world criticized him and did not agree with his remarks, he had no intention of paying attention. The criticism and praise of the people of the world do not gain or harm him, and this is the person whose nature is perfect! I am the kind of person who wavers in the service of right and wrong and utilitarianism. ”

Zigong returned to Lu and told Confucius about seeing the old man who grew vegetables. Confucius said, "That is the person who practiced the ideas of the Chaos clan." They know one aspect of things but not another, they know only the inside of things, but not the outside. They understand the nature of things, but they don't understand the outward manifestations of things. They realize the true meaning of the Tao but do not say it, but only follow their own hearts and do not seek perfection in the hearts of others. They understand human nature, but they do not understand heavenly principles. Such a person has reached the highest level of moral cultivation. Isn't this the highest state of moral cultivation that he will leave no traces in his heart about the merits and demerits of the whole society? Why don't you keep your energy and do what you should do?"

When he went east to the sea, he happened to meet Yuan Feng on the shore of the East China Sea. Yuan Feng asked him, "Where are you going?" and said, "I'm going to the sea." Yuan Feng asked, "What do you do when you go to the sea?" and said, "The sea is a magical place, it will never be full, it will never dry up." I want to go there. ”

Yuan Feng said, "Master, don't you care about the people of the world? I want to hear you talk about the way of holy rule. He said: "The way of holy rule is that the measures implemented by the government are very appropriate, and the selection and appointment of officials are also very appropriate, so that they can see the real situation of the people and then act according to the actual situation, and their words and deeds will naturally conform to moral norms, and the people of the world will be influenced." In this way, people from all over will come to join them, and this is called holy rule. ”

Yuan Feng asked again: "So, what kind of person can be called a virtuous person?" Chen Mang said: "A virtuous person has no thoughts, no worries, and no concept of right and wrong, beauty and evil in his heart. They share the benefits with the people of the world, which is joy, and they provide for goods together, and this is stability. They are like babies who have lost their mothers, wandering, like they are lost when they walk. They have an inexhaustible supply of goods, but they do not know where they come from, and they have enough food but do not know where they come from. This is the face of a virtuous man. ”

Yuan Feng asked, "So, what kind of person can be called a god-man?" and Chen Mang said, "The god-man transcends the shackles of the body and merges with heaven and earth. They can enjoy the destiny of heaven to the fullest, rejoice with heaven and earth, and return everything to its true state, which is called chaos. ”

Men Wugui and Chizhang Manji saw the army of King Wu of Zhou. Chizhang Manji said: "It's not as good as Yu Shunchan, so the world has suffered such a military revolution." ”

Men Wugui said: "When the world is peaceful, the Yu clan can be cured, but when the world is in turmoil, can't the Yu clan be curbed?" Chizhang Manji said: "Peace in the world is the wish of the people, and what can be done with the Yu clan! The way of governing the country with the Yu clan is like treating head sores, if the hair is bald, you wear a wig, and when you are sick, you go to seek medical treatment." The filial son took medicine to treat his father, and his face was haggard, and the saints felt ashamed of this. In the era of moral prosperity, meritocracy is not admired, and capable people are not appointed, the monarch is like a tree branch, and the people are as free as a wild deer. People behave rightly but don't know that this is righteousness, love one another but don't know that it's benevolence, be sincere but don't know that it's loyalty, do right things without knowing that it's faith, and everyone naturally drives each other and doesn't think it's a gift. So their deeds have not left a trace, and their deeds have not been handed down. ”

A filial son does not flatter his parents, and loyal ministers do not flatter his monarch, which is the best performance of a courtier and a son. If what the parents say is correct and what they do is good, then the world will think that it is an unworthy son, and if what they say to the monarch is correct and what they do is good, then the world will think that it is an unworthy son.

But is the world's view correct? What the world thinks is right, people will say that it is correct, and what the world thinks is good, people will say that it is good, and this is called not having their own opinions. If what the world affirms is true, people should flatter, and if what the world affirms is wrong, people should flatter. However, worldly opinions are not static, and sometimes what the world affirms is right and sometimes what the world affirms is wrong. If the world's view is wrong and people flatter, that's the greatest flattery.

So, worldly views are not static, sometimes right and sometimes wrong. Nowadays, secular people follow the crowd in their words and deeds, and they have no opinions of their own. The king used his flamboyant appearance to disguise his ignorance and stupidity as a way to please the world, not knowing that he had fallen into the trap of flattery. Together with the worldly people, they do not distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil, just to cater to the tastes of the world, without knowing that they have become slaves of the world. This kind of person is the greatest stupidity.

Those who know that they are stupid are not the most stupid, and those who know that they are deluded are not the most deluded. The most deluded people are those who do not know their stupidity and delusion all their lives. Threesome, one of them is confused, and the other two can reach the destination because there are few people who are confused, and if both of them are confused, then it will be in vain, because there are many people who are confused.

Now everyone in the world is confused, and although I have my own pursuits, I can't achieve them. Isn't that sad? Profound speech is not accepted by the world, and noble behavior is not understood by the world. Therefore, a person with a high opinion will not be accepted by the world, and a person with noble deeds will not be understood by the world. Because worldly words and deeds are superficial and vulgar. If you play the piece with two threads, then you can't get harmonious music.

Nowadays, secular people follow the crowd in their words and deeds, and they have no opinions of their own. They use their flamboyant appearances to disguise their ignorance and stupidity in order to please the world, not knowing that they have fallen into the trap of flattery. Together with the worldly people, they do not distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil, just to cater to the tastes of the world, without knowing that they have become slaves of the world. This kind of person is the greatest stupidity. Those who know that they are stupid are not the most stupid, and those who know that they are deluded are not the most deluded. The most deluded people are those who do not know their stupidity and delusion all their lives. Threesome, one of them is confused, and the other two can reach the destination because there are few people who are confused, and if both of them are confused, then it will be in vain, because there are many people who are confused. Now everyone in the world is confused, and although I have my own pursuits, I can't achieve them. Isn't that sad?

Those who have superb insights and give birth to a child in the middle of the night will be eager to see him, lest he look like themselves. Why is that? Because they think they're ugly. This kind of person is the stupidest person. They don't know how ugly they are, but instead think they're beautiful. They use hypocritical words and deeds to cover up their ugliness in order to please the world, without knowing that they have fallen into the trap of flattery. Together with the worldly people, they do not distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil, just to cater to the tastes of the world, without knowing that they have become slaves of the world. This kind of person is the greatest stupidity.

The trees that have grown for a hundred years are cut open to make sacrificial vessels, and then painted with green and yellow patterns, and the parts that have been cut off and discarded in the ditch. There is a difference in the beauty and ugliness of sacrificial vessels compared to broken wood discarded in a ditch, but it is the same in terms of losing the natural nature of the tree.

There is a difference between the thief and Zeng Shen and Shi Trout in terms of virtue, but they are the same in terms of losing human nature. There are five aspects of a person's loss of nature: first, the five colors disturb the vision and make the eyes unable to see clearly; second, the five sounds disturb the sense of hearing and make the ears unable to understand; third, the five odors damage the sense of smell, and the smell rushes up the nostrils and hurts the brain; fourth, the five flavors pollute the mouth and tongue and cause damage to the tongue; fifth, the choice of gains and losses disturbs the mind and makes the natural nature run endlessly. These five aspects are all evils to nature.

However, Yang Zhu and Mo Zhai are pursuing and thinking that they have gained, which is not what I call self-satisfaction. If so, then the turtle doves and owls are trapped in cages, and they can also be called self-satisfied. Moreover, if the sound of the choice is like firewood, the fur hat, the sandpiper crown, the morning wat and the long belt are restrained outside the body, the chest is stuffed with firewood, and the outside of the body is heavily bound by ropes, and the eyes are dull in the rope binding, and they think that they have something to gain, then the sinner is tied back, the fingers are clamped, and the tiger and leopard are locked in the trap, which can also be called self-satisfaction.