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宠辱若惊，
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Favor and disgrace can both startle. |
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贵大患若身。
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High status burdens the body. |
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何谓宠辱若惊？
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Why do favor and disgrace startle? |
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宠为下，
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Favor is inferior. |
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得之若惊，
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Win it, and it startles. |
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失之若惊，
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Lose it, and it startles. |
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是谓宠辱若惊。
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That is why favor and disgrace startle. |
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何谓贵大患若身？
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Why does high status burden the body? |
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吾所以有大患者，
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I worry because I have a body. |
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为吾有身，
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Without a body, what could I worry about? |
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及吾无身，
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Therefore, consider the body as the world. |
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吾有何患？
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Then you are fit to govern the world. |
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故贵以身为天下，
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Love the world as your body. |
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若可寄天下；
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Then you are worthy to be entrusted with the world. |