Tao Te Ching Chapter 20
paulpengThe Original Chinese Text
唯之与阿，相去几何？美之与恶，相去若何？人之所畏，不可不畏。
荒兮，其未央哉！
众人熙熙，如享太牢，如春登台。
我独泊兮，其未兆；沌沌兮，如婴儿之未孩；累累兮，若无所归。
众人皆有馀，而我独若遗。我愚人之心也哉！
俗人昭昭，我独昏昏。
俗人察察，我独闷闷。
众人皆有以，而我独顽且鄙。
我独异于人，而贵食母。
When we renounce learning we have no troubles.
The(ready) "yes,”and (flattering)"yea;”
Small is the difference they display.
But mark their issues, good and ill;
What space the gulf between shall fill?
What all men fear is indeed to be feared; but how wideand without end is the range of questions (asking to bediscussed)! The multitude of men look satisfied and pleased;as if enjoying a full banquet, as if mounted on a tower in spring. I alone seem listless and still, my desires having as yet given no indication of their presence. I am like an infant which has not yet smiled. I look dejected and forlorn
as if I had no home to go to.The multitude of men all have enoughand to spare. I alone seem to have lost everything. My mind is that of a stupid man; I am in a state of chaos. Ordinary men look bright and intelligent, while I alone seem to be benighted.They look full of discrimination,while I aloneam dull and confused. I seem to be carried about as on the sea, drifting as if I had now here to rest. All men have their spheres of action, while I alone seem dull and incapable, like a rude borderer. (Thus)I alone am different from other men,but I value the nursing-mother(the Dao).
【译文】弃绝知识经验就会没有忧愁的事。应诺和呵斥，相差有多少?善和恶，相差多少?人们所畏惧的,不能不畏惧。对此的思考好像深远广阔而没有尽头。众人兴高采烈，如同去参加盛大的宴席,如同春天里登台佑望美景。我独自一人淡泊恬静，对此没有什么反应，如同婴儿还不会发出笑声;疲倦憔悴，好像没有归宿。众人都富足有余,而我却像没有什么存留。我只有一颗愚人的心啊!混混沌沌。世人自炫光辉,唯独我迷迷糊糊;世人都那么明察审慎，唯独我这样封闭低沉。恬静安然的样子,好像广阔深沉的大海;飘逸轻灵的样子,好像没有止境。世人都精明灵巧有本领，唯独我愚昧而笨拙。我唯独与人不同之处,就是重视且像婴儿依赖母亲一样对待道。
Translation
Abandon knowledge and experience, and there will be no sorrow.
What is the difference between approval and rebuke?
What is the gap between good and evil?
What others fear, one cannot but fear.
This contemplation seems boundless and endless.
All people are joyous, as if attending a grand feast,
Or ascending a platform in spring to gaze at beautiful scenery.
Alone, I am indifferent and tranquil, unresponsive,
Like an infant yet to utter a laugh;
Weary and haggard, as if homeless.
All others are abundant and affluent,
While I alone seem to have nothing left.
I possess only the heart of a fool! Muddled and confused.
The world dazzles with self-proclaimed brilliance,
Yet I alone am lost and dazed;
All others are sharp and prudent,
Yet I alone am closed off and low-spirited.
Serene and calm, like a vast and deep sea;
Unrestrained and ethereal, like something without end.
All others are shrewd,skillful, and capable,
Yet I alone am ignorant and clumsy.
My only difference from others is this:
I value the Dao and treat it as an infant clings to its mother.
