|
天下皆谓我道大，
|
Everyone under heaven says my Dao is great, |
|
似不肖。
|
but it seems unrealistic. |
|
夫唯大，
|
Because it is great, |
|
故似不肖；
|
it seems unrealistic; |
|
若肖，
|
if it seemed realistic, |
|
久矣其细也夫！
|
it would have become small long ago! |
|
我有三宝，
|
I have three treasures, |
|
持而保之。
|
which I hold and cherish. |
|
一曰慈，
|
The first is mercy, |
|
二曰俭，
|
the second is moderation, |
|
三曰不敢为天下先。
|
the third is humility in not presuming to lead. |
|
慈故能勇；
|
Mercy brings true courage; |
|
俭故能广；
|
moderation brings true generosity; |
|
不敢为天下先，
|
not presuming to lead brings true leadership. |
|
故能成器长。
|
Now, men discard mercy, yet seek courage; |
|
今舍慈且勇；
|
abandon moderation, yet seek generosity; |
|
舍俭且广；
|
give up humility, yet seek to be first; |
|
舍后且先；
|
this leads to their demise. |
|
死矣！
|
Mercy brings victory in battle, |
|
夫慈以战则胜，
|
and strength in defense. |
|
以守则固。
|
Heaven aids and protects, |
|
天将救之，
|
using compassion as a shield. |