雙語詩歌翻譯|《道德經(jīng)》

此章經(jīng)旨，是言在上者治世不善，而導致了民之難治。為君者食民稅太多，致使民饑餓；在上者貪求榮華享受，下民仿效而皆求厚生，反而誤入了輕生死地。這是治世者造成的惡果。本章是承上章"民不畏死，奈何以死懼之”而申言之。民之所以愚昧，治之所以為難，其責在上不在下。圣人治世，無事而民自富，無欲而民自樸，無為而民自化，好靜而民自立，故而絕無"稅多民饑”、"有為難治”、"厚生輕死”之類事。在上者為政清廉，以德自守，不以多事擾民；在下者就會以德化心，清靜無欲，樂于其生。此便是"賢于貴生”之義。在上者若厚其生，下民皆效而仿之。為了厚生，便輕舉妄動，乃至觸犯刑律，輕棄其生。太上因當時世俗之弊，故而提出"賢于貴生”的期盼。這對當今社會，其意義尤為深遠。

《道德經(jīng)》（第七十五章）

民之饑，

以其上食稅之多，

是以饑。

民之難治，

以其上之有為，

是以難治。

民之輕死，

以其上求生之厚，

是以輕死。

夫唯無以生為者，

是賢于貴生。

Chapter 75（Victor H. Mair 譯）

Human hunger is the result of overtaxation.

For this reason,

There is hunger.

The common people are not governable because of their superiors' actions.

For this reason,

They are not governable.

The people make light of death because of too much emphasis on the quest for life.

For this reason,

They make light of death.

Now,

Only she who acts not for the sake of life

Is wiser than those who value life highly.

Chapter 75（Stephen Addiss & Stanley Lombardo 譯）

People are hungry.

When rulers tax grain,

People are hungry.

People are rebellious.

When rulers are active,

People are rebellious.

People ignore death.

When searching only for life's bounty,

People ignore death.

Only those who do not strive after life

Truly respect life.

Chapter 75（王柯平 譯）

The people suffer from famine

Because the ruler levies too much tax-grain.

Thus they suffer from famine.

The people are difficult to rule

Because the ruler too often takes action.

Thus they are difficult to rule.

The people take life lightly

Because the ruler longs for life so avidly.

Thus they take life lightly.