法本章第三十九
Key Takeaway: "Heaven attained the One and became clear; Earth attained the One and became peaceful; the Spirit attained the One and became divine." — Laozi, Daodejing Chapter 39
Of old, those that attained the One: Heaven attained the One and became clear; Earth attained the One and became tranquil; the valleys attained the One and were replenished. Nobility has humility as its foundation—a foundational perspective explored in Daodejing Chapter 39 Translation.
Daodejing Chapter 39 Translation: True Nobility Rests on Common Soil
The wisdom of Daodejing Chapter 39 Translation addresses a fundamental human dynamic: how we navigate ambition, quietude, and the natural flow of existence. In the classical tradition, this passage serves as both a metaphysical mirror and a practical compass for daily living and leadership. Explore how this principle translates into contemporary daily life in our guide to Are You Mistaking Your Achievements for Your Foundation?.
By shifting our focus from outer coercion to internal stillness, we uncover a more resilient way of relating to ourselves and the world around us.
Complete Chapter Translation: Modern Western Reading
As for the things that from of old have understood the Whole — The sky through such understanding remains limpid, Earth remains steady, The spirits keep their holiness, The abyss is replenished, The ten thousand creatures bear their kind, Barons and princes direct their people.
It is the Whole that causes it. Were it not so limpid, the sky would soon get torn, Were is not for steadiness, the earth would soon tip over, Were it not for their holiness, the spirit would soon wither away.
Were it not for this replenishment, the abyss would soon go dry, Were it not that ten thousand creatures can bear their kind, They would soon become extinct. Were the barons and princes no longer directors of their people and for that reason honoured and exalted, they would soon be overthrown.
Truly “ the humble is the stem upon which the mighty grows, the low is the foundation upon which the high is laid.” That is why barons and princes refer to themselves as “The Orphan”, “The Needy”, “The Ill-provided. Is this not indeed a case of might rooting itself upon humility? True indeed are the sayings: “Enumerate the parts of a carriage, and you still have not explained what a carriage is,” and They did not want themselves to tinkle like jade-bells, while others resounded like stone chimes”.
道德经中文原文与对照
【原文】 昔之得一者：天得一以清；地得一以寧；神得一以靈；谷得一以盈；萬物得一以生；侯王得一以爲天下正。其致之也，天無以清，將恐裂；地無以寧，將恐廢；神無以靈，將恐歇；谷無以盈，將恐竭；萬物無以生，將恐滅；侯王無以正，將恐蹶。故貴以賤爲本，高以下爲基。是以侯王自謂孤、寡、不穀。此非以賤爲本邪？非乎？故致數譽無譽。不欲琭琭如玉，珞珞如石。
核心要义解析 (Philosophical Insights)
- 道义发微：本章通过“法本章第三十九”阐发了《道德经》的核心精髓。从“有”与“无”、“动”与“静”的辩证转化中，提醒我们在日用常行中摒弃过度的功利执念，回归纯粹本真的生命状态。
- 现代启示：当外界喧嚣与评判标准不断施加压力时，保持内心的虚静与不争，反而是最强大的定力与智慧。
Follow the sequential development of the text in Laozi’s next philosophical movement in Relinquishing Function: The Reversal Movement and the Yielding Power.
For a deeper comparative examination of these ideas, explore our related study on Increasing Grievance: Straying from the Main Road into Ostentation.
