求學的人,其情欲文飾一天比一天增加;求道的人,其情欲文飾則一天比一天減少。減少又減少,到最后以至于“無為”的境地。如果能夠做到無為,即不妄為,任何事情都可以有所作為。治理國家的人,要經常以不騷擾人民為治國之本,如果經常以繁苛之政擾害民眾,那就不配治理國家了。
第四十八章
為學日益,
為道日損。
損之又損,
以至于無為。
無為而不為。
取天下常以無事,
及其有事,
不足以取天下。
Chapter 48
Learning results in daily increase.
Praciticing Tao results in daily decrease,
Diminishing more and more, until
there is no more—
No more interference, yet full of governance.
One who takes hold of the empire usually governs without meddling.
But once an affair calls for intervention,
He is not worthy of the empire anymore.