《道德经》英译（第六十三章）

为无为，

事无事，

味无味。

大小多少，

报怨以德。

图难于其易，

为大于其细；

天下难事，

必作于易，

天下大事，

必作于细。

是以圣人终不为大，

故能成其大。

夫轻诺必寡信，

多易必多难。

是以圣人犹难之，

故终无难矣。

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> 

Chapter 63

 

Act through non-action,

Handle affairs through noninterference,

Taste what has no taste,

Regard the small as great, the few as many,

Repay resentment with integrity.

Undertake difficult tasks by approaching what is easy in them;

Do great deeds by focusing on their minute aspects.

All difficulties under heaven arise from what is easy,

All great things under heaven arise from what is minute.

For this reason,

The sage never strives to do what is great.

Therefore,

He can achieve greatness.

One who lightly assents will seldom be believed;

One who thinks everything is easy will encounter much difficulty.

For this reason,

Even the sage considers things difficult.

Therefore,

In the end he is without difficulty.

 

（Victor H. Mair 译）