贞士无心徼福，天即就无心处牖其衷；憸人著意避祸，天即就著意中夺其魄。可见天之机权最神，人之智巧何益？
The man
of steadfast morals does not pray for happiness, but Heaven, without him
knowing it, fulfills his heart’s desires. The vicious man is most concerned
with escaping calamities, but as he takes steps to do so Heaven deprives him of
his senses and leaves him defenceless. From this, we can see that the ingenuity
and power of Heaven is unfathomable. What is the use of man’s puny efforts and
craftiness?
（保罗·怀特
译）
A
faithful man has no desire to pray for happiness, but Providence, without being
noticed, helps him fulfill his wishes. A sinister-minded man does his utmost to
shun calamities, but just when he is bent on it, Providence deprives him of his
soul and snaps his vitality. It is obvious that the magic power of Providence
is supernatural. How can the resources of human beings prevail against it?
（周文标
译）
The
faithful man has no intention to pray for fortune, and yet heaven enlightens
his mind to fulfill his wish just where there is no intention on his part; the
treacherous man takes care to keep away misfortune, and yet heaven snatches his
soul just when care is taken. This shows heaven’s workings are mysterious. Of
what avail then are man’s craft and tact?
（蒋坚松
译） |
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