道德经英文版 The Tao-te Ching Chapter 19

1. If we could renounce1 our sageness2 and discard our wisdom, it would be better for the people a hundredfold. If we could renounce our benevolence3 and discard our righteousness, the people would again become filial and kindly4. If we could renounce our artful contrivances and discard our (scheming for) gain, there would be no thieves nor robbers.

2. Those three methods (of government)

Thought olden ways in elegance5 did fail

And made these names their want of worth to veil;

But simple views, and courses plain and true

Would selfish ends and many lusts6 eschew7.

绝圣弃智，民利百倍;

绝仁弃义，民复孝慈;

绝巧弃利，盗贼无有。

此三者以为文，不足，故令有所属：

见素抱朴，少私寡欲。

【译文】

抛弃贤圣权威及权威成见，人民可以得到更大的好处;抛弃仁、义等道德律则，人民将恢复他们的孝慈本性;抛弃技巧与厚利的助纣与诱引，盗贼将自动消失。

不过，这三项措施作为治标之举，还不足以治本，所以，应把它们作为从属的措施并继之以更为基本的总体原则：表现纯真，持守混沌，减少私心杂欲。

1 renounce        

v.放弃；拒绝承认，宣布与…断绝关系

参考例句：

She decided to renounce the world and enter a convent.她决定弃绝尘世去当修女。

It was painful for him to renounce his son.宣布与儿子脱离关系对他来说是很痛苦的。

2 sageness        

n.贤明；明智　

参考例句：

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safeness of TGP in the treatment of ankyolsing spondylitis (AS). 目的　评价帕夫林对强直性脊柱炎的疗效和安全性。

Shu da toothpaste is well known for its quick usage, outstanding effect and absolute safeness. 舒齿达牙膏以快速卓越的效果、使用绝对安全著称于世。

3 benevolence        

n.慈悲，捐助

参考例句：

We definitely do not apply a policy of benevolence to the reactionaries.我们对反动派决不施仁政。

He did it out of pure benevolence. 他做那件事完全出于善意。

4 kindly        

adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地

参考例句：

Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。

A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。

5 elegance        

n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙

参考例句：

The furnishings in the room imparted an air of elegance.这个房间的家具带给这房间一种优雅的气氛。

John has been known for his sartorial elegance.约翰因为衣着讲究而出名。

6 lusts        

贪求（lust的第三人称单数形式）

参考例句：

A miser lusts for gold. 守财奴贪财。

Palmer Kirby had wakened late blooming lusts in her. 巴穆·柯比在她心中煽动起一片迟暮的情欲。

7 eschew        

v.避开，戒绝

参考例句：

Eschew fattening foods if you want to lose weight.你如想减肥，就不要吃致肥的食物。

Good kid should eschew bad company.好孩子应避免交坏朋友。