将欲取天下而为之,
|
Those who seek to grasp and shape the world, |
吾见其不得已。
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I see their efforts end in failure. |
天下神器,
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The world is sacred; |
不可为也,
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It cannot be manipulated, |
不可执也。
|
It cannot be controlled. |
为者败之,
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Interfering leads to destruction, |
执者失之。
|
Holding on leads to loss. |
故物或行或随,
|
Things sometimes advance, sometimes follow, |
或嘘或吹,
|
Sometimes breathe softly, sometimes blow hard, |
或强或羸,
|
Sometimes are strong, sometimes weak, |
或载或隳,
|
Sometimes rise, sometimes fall. |
是以圣人去甚,
|
Therefore, the sage avoids extremes, |
去奢,去泰。
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Avoids excess, and avoids complacency. |