《菜根谭：汉英对照》

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书名页
走向世界的明清小品——汉英对照本“处世三奇书”序The Sketches of the Ming and Qing Dynasties Going Abroad— Preface to the “Three Canons of Personal Cultivation”
《菜根谭》序Introduction to The Roots of Wisdom
目录
1.栖守道德　毋阿权贵1.Rather stick to moral integrity than be attached to the powerful and influential.
2.与其练达　不若朴鲁2.Better be honest and straightforward than scheming and calculating.
3.心地光明　才华韫藏3.The mind of a man should be made open and broad, but his talents carefully concealed.
4.近纷华而不染　知机巧而不用4.Not be sullied by extravagance even if close to it nor resort to intrigues even if acquainted with them.
5.闻逆耳言　怀拂心事5.It is helpful to hear words unpleasant to the ear and meditate on things unpleasant to the mind.
6.和气喜神　天人一理6.Harmony and happiness are agreeable to both Nature and human beings.
7.真味是淡　至人如常7.Genuine flavor only lies in light and mild food; and a man of perfect morality is no different from ordinary people.
8.闲时吃紧　忙时悠闲8.Keep the sense of imminence while at leisure and while busy, be at ease.
9.静坐观心　真妄毕现9.Sit quietly in meditation, and you will perceive both the true character and the distracting thoughts.
10.得意早回头　拂心莫停手10.Stop seeking more in times of contentment but keep going on even if suffering setbacks.
11.志从澹泊来　节在肥甘丧11.Aspiration is attained in natural simplicity while moral integrity spoiled in extravagance.
12.田地放宽　恩泽流长12.In dealing with people, better be large-minded and tolerant; and in bestowing favors, better let them spread far and wide.
13.路留一步　味减三分13.Step aside one pace for others when the path is narrow and when you are fine fed, share three-tenths of your food with others.
14.脱俗成名　减欲入圣14.Get rid of vulgarity, and you will become a man of celebrity;decrease the desires for fame and wealth, and you will enter sainthood.
15.侠气交友　素心做人15.Be chivalrous in getting along with friends and unadorned in conducting yourself.
16.利毋居前　德毋落后16.Never anticipate others in seeking wealth nor lag behind in dispensing charities.
17.忍让为高　利人利己17.Forbearance means superiority and is beneficial to both others and yourself.
18.矜则无功　悔可减过18.Arrogance spoils contributions and repentance counteracts faults.
19.美名不独享　责任不推脱19.When winning a good name, do not reap it all alone and when at fault, do not shift responsibility onto others.
20.功名不求盈满　做人恰到好处20.Seek no perfection in personal achievement and do just to the point in human relationships.
21.诚心和气　胜于观心21.Even temperament is superior to meditation.
22.有动有寂　动寂相宜22.Movement harbors in stillness and stillness in movement, and both give rise to each other.
23.责恶勿太严　教善勿太高23.Be not too severe when reproaching someone with his faults, nor too demanding when initiating someone into righteousness.
24.洁常自污出　明每从暗生24.Cleanliness often derives from dirt and brightness always from gloom.
25.伸张正气　再现真心25.Only when healthy trends are encouraged can there emerge the true characters from within.
26.事悟痴除　性定动正26.Ex-post repentance dispels infatuations and nature well preserved begets appropriate action.
27.志在林泉　胸怀廊庙27.Keep in mind the ambition and statecraft to serve the country while lodging your aspiration in the forests and fountains.
28.无过是功　无怨是德28.To go without blame is creditable and without others’ enmity,grateful.
29.忧勤勿过　待人勿枯29.In performing your duties, not be overstrained; and in dealing with people, not be indifferent.
30.原其初心　观其末路30.To judge a man is to look into his initial intention; and to comment on a man is to examine his integrity in his later years.
31.富宜宽厚　智宜敛藏31.Be generous even if you are rich and honorable and keep your talents obscured even if you are replete with wisdom.
32.登高思危　少言勿躁32.Think of danger when ascending a height and talk less to avoid vexation.
33.放得功名　即可脱俗33.One who can sever himself from fame and wealth will overcome worldly thoughts.
34.偏见害人　聪明障道34.Self-willedness harms man’s notion, and smart aleck hinders man’s virtue.
35.知退一步　加让三分35.Step backward for others when on a narrow path and give way for them even if on an open road.
36.不恶小人　有礼君子36.Treat a base man with no hatred and a worthy man with etiquette.
37.正气清名　留于乾坤37.It is better to leave both righteousness and untainted name to the world.
38.降魔先降心　驭横先驭气38.To vanquish monsters, first vanquish the wicked thoughts in mind; to control absurdity, first control the internal rashness in heart.
39.教育子弟　要严交游39.To educate disciples, it is better to do so by setting rigid rules on their social intercourse.
40.欲路勿染　理路勿退40.Do not act willfully in pursuing material gains, nor shrink back in seeking the truth.
41.不可浓艳　不可枯寂41.In everyday life, one should be neither too particular nor too casual-minded.
42.超越天地　不入名利42.Transcend the mundane world by not being tempted into fame and wealth.
43.高一步立身　退一步处世43.Stand on a higher plane in pursuit and for the sake of security,learn how to compromise.
44.修德忘名　读书深心44.Do away with fame when striving for virtue and be wholly devoted when resolving upon study.
45.一念之差　失之千里45.A momentary slip gives occasion to a permanent loss.
46.有木石心　具云水趣46.A rock-firm will is indispensable in moral cultivation, so is a natural temperament in dedication to the country.
47.吉人和气　凶人杀气47.A good man is always imbued with composure, and a bad man with a murderous look.
48.君子无祸　勿罪冥冥48.An accomplished man should do no evil on the sly if he wants to distance calamities.
49.多心为祸　少事为福49.It is a misfortune to be sunk in excessive exertions, but a fortune to have few cares.
50.当方则方　当圆则圆50.Be upright whenever needed and slick, when it is necessary.
51.己功不念　人恩不忘51.Bear not in mind the favors we have done to others but the bounties others might have bestowed on us.
52.施之不求　求之无功52.Never seek return for the benefaction we have given, otherwise winning no reputation.
53.相观对治　方便法门53.It is good for one to take mutual examination and contrast others’position with one’s own.
54.心地干净　方可学古54.Only when the heart is made clear and pure can one start to model after ancient sages and men of virtue.
55.崇俭养廉　守拙全真55.Frugality makes honesty and dullness brings sincerity.
56.学以致用　立业种德56.Studying for the purpose of application conduces to both moral cultivation and career development.
57.扫除外物　直觅本来57.Only by clearing away outside enticement can one find a straight path to the essence of his nature.
58.苦中有乐　得意生悲58.As pleasure grows in suffering, so frustration forms in contentment.
59.富贵名誉　来自道德59.Riches and honor should be derived from the cultivation of morality.
60.花铺好色　人行好事60.As flowers would bloom a riot of color, so should one do good turns so long as one lives.
61.兢业的心思　潇洒的趣味61.Unrestrained interest for life is as vital as assiduous thoughts in learning.
62.立名者贪　用术者拙62.Those who seek reputation are greedy and clumsy, those who resort to craft.
63.宁虚勿溢　宁缺勿全63.Emptiness is better than spillage, and so is incompletion than completion.
64.拔去名根　融化客气64.Uproot the lust for fame within and dispose of influences without.
65.心体光明　暗室青天65.An open, aboveboard mind makes a dark room bright.
66.无名无位　无忧无虑66.Without fame and rank one will be free from worldly cares.
67.阴恶恶大　显善善小67.Vice concealed is more harmful than that revealed, but benevolence known by all inferior to that known to none.
68.居安思危　天亦无用68.Get prepared for danger in times of peace, and Providence can do nothing against you.
69.偏激之人　难建功业69.Those who are liable to go to extremes can hardly make any contributions.
70.愉快求福　去怨避祸70.Keep a happy mood so as to seek good fortune and to avoid disasters, discard grudge and hatred.
71.宁默毋躁　宁拙毋巧71.Rather keep silence than act on impulse; and rather look dull than clever.
72.热心之人　其福亦厚72.Those willing to help others will be requited with boundless fortune.
73.天理路广　人欲路窄73.The path for pursuing the Heavenly principles is wide and narrow is that for following human desires.
74.磨练福久　参勘知真74.The fortune attained through hardship is everlasting and true, the knowledge acquired after test and verification.
75.虚心明理　实心却欲75.Be open-minded so as to attain righteousness and to dispel mundane desires, be solid-hearted.
76.宽宏大量　胸能容物76.Tolerance breeds breadth of mind.
77.多病未羞　无病是忧77.It is not a shame to have made many mistakes, but a worry to deny the mistakes ever made.
78.一念贪私　坏了一生78.A selfish desire will spoil the virtue one has accumulated over lifetime.
79.心不所动　焉受诱惑79.An unswerving heart helps to guard against exterior temptations.
80.保已成业　防将来非80.Better keep the exploits already gained and prevent mistakes in the future.
81.气象高旷　心思缜密81.As a man’s makings must be dignified, so must his thoughts be deliberate.
82.风不留声　雁不留影82.No sound will be heard when the wind is gone; no shadow will remain when a wild goose has passed.
83.君子懿德　中庸之道83.It is an admirable virtue for an accomplished man to adopt the doctrine of the mean.
84.穷当益工　不失风雅84.It is a grace not to give up but to try harder in face of destitution.
85.未雨绸缪　有备无患85.Repair the house before it rains and get prepared against want.
86.念头起处　切莫放过86.Never let off a vicious thought the moment it evolves.
87.静闲淡泊　观心证道87.Only by preserving tranquility, leisure and simplicity can one properly examine man’s nature and comprehend the Way of the world.
88.动中真静　苦中真乐88.That attained amid noise is tranquility indeed and so is delight that gained in adversity.
89.舍己勿疑　施恩勿报89.Do not hesitate when you are to sacrifice your own interests and to bestow favors, do not anticipate return.
90.厚德载福　逸心补劳90.Great virtue carries fortune with it, while a leisurely mind remedies weariness in body.
91.天机最神　智巧何益91.The magic power of Providence is so supernatural that the resources of human beings can do nothing to it.
92.人生态度　晚节更重92.To judge a man’s life attitude, it is best to look at his moral integrity in his later years.
93.种德施惠　无位公相93.Cultivating morality and bestowing favors make an ordinary person a duke without rank.
94.积累念难　倾覆思易94.Keep in mind both the hardships to accumulate wealth and the aptness to ruin it.
95.君子诈善　无异小人95.An accomplished man pretending to be virtuous is no more than a villain.
96.家人有过　春风解冻96.In dealing with the faults of family members, one should act like the spring breeze thawing the frozen land.
97.看得圆满　放得宽平97.Regard the world as perfect, and the world in the heart will be open and fair.
98.坚守操履　不露锋芒98.Seek no limelight while persevering in moral cultivation.
99.逆境砺志　顺境杀人99.Adverse circumstances whet aspirations, while favorable ones snap willpower.
100.富贵如火　必将自焚100.Lust for riches and honor is like raging flames; whoever has it will get burned in the end.
101.精诚所至　金石为开101.Complete sincerity of a man can affect metal and stone.
102.文章恰好　人品本然102.A piece of writing which attains the right extent is the best, and so is the moral character which reflects a man’s inborn nature.
103.能看得破　才认得真103.Only by seeing through the world of illusions can one understand the world of realities clearly.
104.美味快意　享用五分104.Foods agreeable to the taste and things pleasant to the mind are all desirable if only half assumed.
105.忠恕待人　养德远害105.Whoever is faithful and tolerant in getting along with others can refine his morality and keep clear of calamities.
106.持身勿轻　用心勿重106.Not be frivolous in personal behaviors nor be too rigid in attaining personal objectives.
107.人生百年　不可虚度107.A man’s life-span is only a hundred years long, so one should not idle away his time.
108.德怨两忘　恩仇俱泯108.Better make others forget both gratitude and resentment and let both bounties and enmities fall into oblivion.
109.持盈履满　君子兢兢109.A worthy man should be circumspect in his heyday.
110.扶公却私　种德修身110.Be selfless by rendering assistance to the public and cultivate your moral integrity by accumulating benevolence.
111.公论不犯　权门不沾111.Never go against a popular verdict nor be associated with those from a circle of bigwigs.
112.直躬不畏人忌　无恶不惧人毁112.Fear no jealousy when keeping upright nor slander when having no vicious deeds.
113.从容处变　剀切规友113.Be calm and unhurried while facing an unforeseen event and while admonishing a friend, be firm and pertinent.
114.大处着眼　小处着手114.Set your mind on the general goal but put your hand to minor details.
115.爱重为仇　薄极成喜115.Love taken to its maximum may convert to enmity, while a trivial kindness may result in heart-felt contentment.
116.藏巧于拙　以屈为伸116.Hide ingenuity in clumsiness and take recoil as extension.
117.居安虑患　处变当坚117.Beware of danger at a time of peace and stick it out in face of disasters.
118.奇人乏识　独行无恒118.A man fascinated by novelties lacks profound knowledge and that inclined to isolation has no perseverance.
119.放下屠刀　立地成佛119.A butcher becomes a Buddha the moment he drops his cleaver.
120.毋形人短　毋忌人能120.Do not counter others’ demerits with your own merits, nor make yourself jealous of others’ talents for your own incompetence.
121.己所不欲　勿施于人121.Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.
122.阴者勿交　傲者勿言122.Never befriend an insidious fellow nor talk too much to an arrogant guy.
123.调节情绪　一张一弛123.A man’s mood should be timely adjusted by alternating tension with relaxation.
124.君子之心　毫无障塞124.The heart of an accomplished man should go freely without a momentary blockade.
125.智慧识魔　意志斩妖125.To discern the inner demons depends on wit and to decapitate them, on willpower.
126.宽而容人　不动声色126.Be tolerant towards the folly of others and stay calm and collected when offended.
127.英雄豪杰　经受锤炼127.Heroes must be tempered in hardships.
128.天地父母　万物敦睦128.Heaven and earth, by acting like father and mother, can harmonize myriad things.
129.戒疏于虑　警伤于察129.Advisable are admonition to negligence and counsel to overcaution.
130.明辨是非　大局为重130.Distinguish clearly between right and wrong, and take the interests of the whole into account.
131.亲善杜谗　除恶防祸131.Prevent slanders when befriending good men and avoid curse when getting rid of vicious men.
132.培养节操　磨炼本领132.A man’s morality should be cultivated through hardships and his ability fostered in the process of surmounting difficulties.
133.父慈子孝　伦常天性133.Fathers’ kindness to their sons and sons’ filialness to their fathers are one of the natural bonds and ethical relationships between the members of a family.
134.不夸妍洁　谁能丑污134.Boast of your beauty and cleanliness not, and nobody can call you ugly or dirty.
135.富多炎凉　亲多妒忌135.Fickleness is common among the rich and so is jealousy between kinsfolk.
136.功过要清　恩仇勿明136.Merits and demerits should be distinctly demarcated, while bounties and enmities should not.
137.位盛危至　德高谤兴137.Rank of nobility too elevated is easy to bring about dangers and so is virtue too outstanding to court slanders.
138.阴恶祸深　阳善功小138.Evil deeply hidden produces more harm, while good widely advertised brings less benefit.
139.以德御才　恃才败德139.Rule your talent with virtue, knowing that unduly relying on talent spoils your virtue.
140.穷寇勿追　投鼠忌器140.Not press the enemy at bay and in order to save the dishes,spare the rat.
141.有过归己　有功让人141.One should have the merit to put on himself the blame for faults and give others the credit for accomplishment.
142.警言救人　功德无量142.To help others by submitting a sincere advice is also a sort of beneficence beyond measure.
143.趋炎附热　人之通病143.To fawn upon the rich and powerful is one of the common failings of human nature.
144.冷眼观物　轻动刚肠144.Observe the world with cool detachment and show your uprightness with deliberation.
145.德量共进　识见更高145.A man’s knowledge increases along with the improving of his virtue and broadening of his mind.
146.人心惟危　道心惟微146.Human heart is unfathomable and power of virtue negligible.
147.反省从善　尤人成恶147.Self-reflection guides one to good while blame shifted onto others breeds the root of evil.
148.功名一时　气节万古148.Honor and rank are only in fashion for a time, but the integrity of aspiration will ever be immortal.
149.机里藏机　变外生变149.An unknown skilful contrivance always hides in another and a new event often crops up unexpectedly.
150.诚恳为人　灵活处世150.Be sincere in conducting yourself and in dealing with the world,be flexible.
151.去混心清　去苦乐存151.There emerges a tranquil mind the moment one discards his distracting thoughts and a joy the moment one is apart from pains.
152.一言一行　切戒犯忌152.When you speak or act, do your utmost to avoid violating taboos.
153.宽之自明　纵之自化153.As things might be clear of themselves if more time is spared,so people might be moved to action if less binding is laid.
154.不能养德　终归末技154.Without moral cultivation man’s skill can only be a small trick.
155.急流勇退　与世无争155.Retire at the height of your official career and hold yourself aloof from the world.
156.细处着眼　施不求报156.Adhere to morality by starting with trivialities and bestow favors without expecting for return.
157.清心去俗　趣味高雅157.Clear your heart by banishing vulgarity and hold your interest by acting with elegance.
158.修身种德　事业之基158.Virtue is the foundation of a career.
159.心善子盛　根固叶荣159.Mercy gives birth to the prosperity of our descendants and sturdy root brings about luxuriant foliage.
160.勿昧所有　勿夸所得160.Not belittle what we have possessed nor boast of what we have gained.
161.真理学问　人皆可求160.Everyone is entitled to seek truth and engage in learning.
162.信人己诚　疑人己诈162.He who has trust in others is sincere and deceitful is he who has a distrust of others.
163.春风催生　寒风残杀163.Spring breeze hastens the growth of life, while piercing cold wind brings life to ruin.
164.善根暗长　恶损潜消164.The benefit of good deeds grows without being noticed and the harm of evil ones vanishes from sight secretly.
165.愈隐愈显　愈淡愈浓165.The more esoteric the thing, the more we should be openminded; the less associated the one, the more we should be warmhearted.
166.君子立德　小人图利166.Accomplished men pay attention to moral cultivation, while petty ones are only keen on seeking material gains.
167.意气用事　难有作为167.Men of easy temperament can scarcely make great achievements.
168.律己宜严　待人宜宽168.Better be strict with ourselves and lenient to others.
169.为奇不异　求清不激169.To be outstanding is not the result of a queer deed, nor is that of an extreme one to be noble and unsullied.
170.恩宜后浓　威宜先严170.Favors should be bestowed from small to great while authority go first with severity and then with tolerance.
171.心虚性现　意净心清171.The true nature emerges when internal distracting thoughts are banished; the heart becomes clear when the mind is purified.
172.我自为我　物自为物172.I am but my self; all the things I have are only my possessions.
173.慈悲心肠　繁衍生机173.Kind-heartedness ensures endless procreation.
174.心体天体　人心天心174.Man’s heart and the cosmos resemble each other in essence.
175.无事寂寂　有事惺惺175.Preserve tranquility while unoccupied and keep a clear head while occupied.
176.议事任事　明晓利害176.Before making comments on a matter he has nothing to do with,one should first endeavor to find out all the right and wrong causes in it.
177.操履严明　但毋偏激177.In preserving moral principles one should be strict rather than drastic.
178.浑然和气　居身之珍178.To preserve an easy-going manner is the golden rule of getting on in the world.
179.诚心和气　激励陶冶179.Nobody cannot be roused and molded with sincerity and gentleness.
180.一念慈祥　寸心洁白180.A thought of kind-mindedness makes the heart pure and clean.
181.异行奇能　涉世祸胎181.Unusual behaviors and queer talents are the sources of disasters in social relations.
182.忍得耐得　自在之境182.Endurance is the gateway to the realm of freedom.
183.心体莹然　本来不失183.A pure heart enables one to retain his true characters.
184.一张一弛　事先安排184.Alteration of work and relaxation should be arranged beforehand.
185.为民固本　造福子孙185.Ensure the lifeblood of the people so as to benefit the coming generations.
186.为官公廉　居家恕俭186.Be impartial and white-handed when holding office and when managing a household, be lenient and frugal.
187.富贵知贫　少壮念老187.Be aware of poverty when rich and wealthy and think of being old when young and strong.
188.气量宽厚　兼容并包188.Be large-minded so as to tolerate people of different qualities.
189.勿仇小人　勿媚君子189.Never be the enemy of mean fellows nor curry favor with gentlemen.
190.疾病易医　魔障难除190.Physical diseases are easy to cure, while mental barriers set up by a demon are hard to remove.
191.百炼成金　轻发无功191.Gold can only be made with great effort.
192.戒小人媚　愿君子责192.Better be blamed by a worthy man than be flattered by a mean fellow.
193.好利害浅　好名害深193.He who is greedy for wealth brings less harm but more does he who is eager for fame.
194.忘恩报怨　刻薄之极194.To forget others’ kindness and requite it with ingratitude is a thing most contemptible in the world.
195.不畏谗言　却惧蜜语195.Fear no slanders, but beware of flattery.
196.清高褊急　君子重戒196.An accomplished man should attentively guard against being too stiff and narrow-minded.
197.虚圆建功　执拗偾事197.Modesty and flexibility lead to success, while stubbornness avails nothing.
198.处世之道　不同不异198.In dealing with the world, do not totally act in accord with the social mores, nor totally go against them.
199.烈士暮年　壮心不已199.The heart of a hero in his old age is as stout as ever.
200.聪明不露　才华不逞200.A wise man should never show off his intelligence nor parade his talent.
201.过俭者吝　过谦者卑201.Undue thrift is regarded as miserliness and over-modesty as lowliness.
202.喜忧安危　勿介于心202.Not turn a hair in the face of joy and worry, safety and danger.
203.声华名利　非君子行203.An accomplished man should not sink himself in sensual pleasures nor seek fame and wealth.
204.乐极生悲　苦尽甜来204.Extreme pleasure ends in sorrow, and after suffering comes happiness.
205.过满则溢　过刚即折205.Overfullness begets spillage and overrigidness induces fracture.
206.冷眼观人　冷心思理206.Be sober-eyed when observing the people around you and when pondering the reasons in things, be sober-minded.
207.心宽福厚　量小福薄207.Open-mindedness brings in profound happiness, while narrowmindedness only slight one.
208.闻恶防谗　闻善防奸208.Guard against the slanderous when hearing someone has done evil and when hearing someone has done good, watch out for the treacherous.
209.躁急无成　平和得福209.Rash-temperedness ends in failure, while calm-heartedness brings about good fortune.
210.用人不刻　交友不滥210.Not be too fastidious in choosing a person for a job and in making friends, not be too indiscriminate.
211.立得脚定　著得眼高211.Get your foothold firm and let your gaze roam afar.
212.和衷少争　谦德少妒212.Amiability evokes no dispute and modesty arouses no jealousy.
213.居官有节　居乡有情213.Be moderate when on an official position and when in retirement,be amiable and easy of approach.
214.事上警谨　待下宽仁214.Be careful when attending upon your superiors and in dealings with your inferiors, be generous.
215.逆境消怨　怠荒思奋215.When in adversity, try to dispel the grievances from your heart;and when becoming indolent, think about how to rouse yourself.
216.轻诺惹祸　倦怠无成216.Promise lightly made courts disasters and indolence makes previous work undone.
217.读书得其要领　观物达其实质217.When reading a book, try to understand its essence; when observing an object, try to reach its substance.
218.勿以长欺短　勿以富凌贫218.Do not humiliate others with your strong points, nor bully the poor with your wealth.
219.中才之人　高低难成219.A medium-gifted man is fit for neither a higher post nor a lower one.
220.守口应密　防意应严220.The mouth should be closely guarded and the minds well controlled.
221.责人宜宽　责己宜严221.Better be lenient when censuring another for a fault but strict when making self-reproaches.
222.幼时定基　少时勤学222.Characters should be tempered from childhood and diligent study begins in youth.
223.君子忧乐　亦怜茕独223.A man of virtue will be consumed with circumspection in a time of joy and with pity when together with the abandoned and helpless.
224.浓夭淡久　大器晚成224.Gaudy colors and rich flavors are inferior to light but constant ones and early flourish is not as good as late maturity.
225.静中真境　淡现本然225.The true realm of a man’s life exists amid tranquility and his natural characters emerge from simplicity.
226.乐者不言　言者不乐226.Those who understand happiness may not talk about it; those who talk about happiness may not understand it.
227.省事为适　无能全真227.Less engagement leads to leisureliness; incompetence keeps man’s nature intact.
228.艳为虚幻　枯为胜境228.The reality of Nature is revealed by decay instead of brilliance which is nothing but an illusion.
229.天地之闲　因人而异229.The realization of whether the world is of leisure or not varies from man to man.
230.盆池竹屋　意境高远230.Even a basin-sized pool or a bamboo house can bring in profound subtleties.
231.静夜梦醒　月现本性231.The sound of a temple bell on a still night wakens the dream of life; the moon reflection in the pool reveals the origin of man’s nature.
232.天地万物　皆是实相232.Everything in the world has its own way to express itself.
233.知无形物　悟无尽趣233.To apprehend a thing by its essence instead of its form leads to boundless subtlety.
234.淡欲有书　神仙之境234.Books help to weaken men’s material desires and guide them into the fairyland.
235.盛宴散后　兴味索然235.When a grand feast comes to an end, flatness appears.
236.得个中趣　破眼前机236.Ascertain the subtlety of Nature and perceive the deceptions and trickeries before your eyes.
237.非上上智　无了了心237.Only with supreme wisdom can one make a thorough comprehension of Nature and human life.
238.人生苦短　宇宙无限238.Man’s life is transient while the cosmos is boundless.
239.极端空寂　断不可取239.Extreme void is absolutely undesirable.
240.休无休时　了无了时240.Take a rest when time allows; if you wish to do so till all the works in hand are completed, then you will never meet your wishes.
241.从冷视热　从冗入闲241.In times of calm, reflect on the boisterousness; while being busy, try to take a moment’s respite.
242.轻视富贵　不溺酒中242.Wealth and rank are what men should despise and wine is what they should not wallow in.
243.不嫌人醉　不夸己醒243.Not cold-shoulder others if they are infatuated with fame and wealth, nor brag that you are the only one who is above the worldly considerations.
244.心闲日长　意广天宽244.To a leisurely-minded person, a single day is longer than enough; to a broad-minded person, a tiny hovel seems as a large space.
245.栽花种竹　去欲忘忧245.Raising flowers and planting bamboos are conducive to removal of material desires and mundane worries.
246.知足则仙　善用则生246.Those content with their lot are happy; those good at making use of opportunities are prosperous.
247.附势遭祸　守逸味长247.Fawning upon the influential and powerful brings disaster,while preserving ease of mind produces durable taste.
248.松涧望闲云　竹夜见风月248.At day, watch the floating clouds along the side of a pinecovered rivulet and at night, view the scene of the wind and moon in a bamboo shed.
249.欲时思病　利来思死249.When lust rages in your mind, think of the trouble; and when benefit comes to you, think of the calamity.
250.退后一步　清淡一分250.A pace back makes a road more spacious，lightly seasoned food gives more taste.
251.忙不乱性　死不动心251.Be steadfast and composed when occupied and fearless when facing death.
252.隐无荣辱　道无炎凉252.To live as a hermit, give no thought to personal honor and disgrace; to seek morality, pay no heed to the fickleness of human nature.
253.心静自然凉　乐观无穷愁253.Free from vexation, and one will feel cool of oneself; be optimistic, and one will have no distress about poverty.
254.进时思退　得手思放254.Think out a way to retreat when progress has been made, and consider how to let go when you set about a task.
255.贪者常贫　知足常富255.Avarice of wealth begets poverty in morality; contentment leads to spiritual enrichment.
256.隐者多趣　省事心闲256.To be obscure is to invite more pleasures, and to save trouble is to breed leisure in mind.
257.自得之士　逍遥自适257.Self-composed persons are always leisurely and carefree.
258.孤云出岫　朗镜悬空258.Be as free as the solitary cloud floating from the valley and as elegant as the bright moon hanging in the night sky.
259.浓处味短　淡中趣真259.Rich and pungent dishes only create a transient taste, while simplicity and plainness make a true delight.
260.高寓于平　难出于易260.Just as the loftiest and most profound truth dwells in the most inconspicuous place, so the most difficult things originate from the easiest.
261.处喧见寂　出有入无261.Tranquility is attainable in a noisy environment and from Existence there emerges Nothingness.
262.心无系恋　乐境仙都262.Not set your mind on the worldly gains, and so the place you live in will then become a land of immortals.
263.静躁稍分　昏明顿异263.A slight distinction made between clamor and tranquility brings different consequence of either muddle-headedness or clearheadedness.
264.卧雪眠云　绝俗超凡264.Keep away from the vanity of the world by preserving a cool and quiet mind.
265.浓不胜淡　俗不如雅265.Richness and gaudiness are not as good as plainness and lightness, nor is vulgarity a match for refinement.
266.出世涉世　了心尽心266.To transcend the mean world, go through it first; to comprehend the essence of man’s inherent quality, put your whole brains onto it.
267.身放闲处　心安静中267.Stand aloof from the place of conflict and preserve your mind in a state of stillness.
268.云中世界　静里乾坤268.From clouds there emerges the wonderland of leisure; in silence there is a different world.
269.不忧利禄　不畏仕祸269.Disregard wealth and rank, and you will be free from the fear for the vicissitudes in officialdom.
270.山泉去凡心　书画消俗气270.Cast aside mundane thoughts by roaming among mountains and springs; dispel vulgar interest by reposing feelings in calligraphy and painting.
271.秋日清爽　神骨俱清271.The clarity and brightness of autumn brings freshness to man’s body and spirit.
272.得诗真趣　悟禅玄机272.To write a poem, it is best to seek the subtlety to do so; to meditate on Zen Buddhism, it is best to perceive the mystery of it.
273.好用心机　杯弓蛇影273.A person of sensitive imagination mistakes the shadow of a bow in his wine cup as a snake.
274.身心自如　融通自在274.Let the body and heart be as free and unrestrained as the air.
275.皆鸣天机　皆畅生意275.The crying of animals and the vitality of vegetation are all the expressions of natural instincts.
276.盛衰始终　自然之理276.The vicissitudes of life are the course destined by Nature.
277.无欲则寂　虚心则凉277.One can find both tranquility and cool when he is free from worldly desires.
278.贫则无虑　贱则常安278.Poverty gives no rise to fear, while humbleness brings more safety.
279.晓窗读易　午案谈经279.Read The Book of Changes against the window at dawn and at noon, expound Buddhist Scripture by the desk.
280.花失生机　鸟减天趣280.A pot-planted flower is bereft of vitality and a caged bird lacks natural amusement.
281.诸多烦恼　因我而起281.Many of the vexations are incurred by the sense of selfcenteredness.
282.少时思老　荣时思枯282.When you are young, think about the time of old age; when you go prosperous, ponder on the declining days.
283.人情世态　倏忽万端283.The ways of the world are changing all the time.
284.热中取静　冷处热心284.Be sober-minded on the occasions of bustle and excitement, and preserve a positive attitude in times of dejection and desolation.
285.寻常人家　最为安乐285.The most carefree life can only be found in an ordinary family.
286.乾坤自在　物我两忘286.Untrammeled Nature makes man ignorant of the existence of the world and the self.
287.生死成败　任其自然287.Let life and death, success and failure take their own course.
288.水流境静　花落意闲288.However swift the water flows, its surroundings are quiet;however frequently the flowers bloom and fade, the scene remains leisurely and carefree.
289.自然乐曲　乾坤文章289.Most wonderful are the melody and spectacle created by Nature.
290.谿壑易填　人心难满290.Gullies are easy to fill up, but men’s desires are hard to fulfill.
291.心无风涛　性有化育291.Get rid of the distracting thoughts from your mind and nurse the charity in the depth of your heart.
292.贵贱高低　自适其性292.Everyone should conform himself to his own nature, whatever his social status.
293.处世忘世　超物乐天293.Rise above the world though you live in it, and you will enjoy the natural amusement.
294.盛衰无常　强弱安在294.Prosperity and decline are not constant, nor everlasting are the strong and weak.
295.宠辱不惊　去留无意295.Remain indifferent whether granted favors or subjected to humiliation and give no heed to whether demoted or promoted from the present post.
296.高天可翔　万物可饮296.The vast sky allows a soaring flight, and produces of Nature are open to all living beings.
297.求心内佛　却心外法297.Plead with yourself for enlightenment by shaking off the bonds of external things.
298.冷情当事　如汤消雪298.Handling affairs with a cool mind is like thawing the snow by pouring hot water on it.
299.物欲可哀　性真可乐299.It is lamentable to be trammeled by material desires but joyful to preserve the genuine character.
300.胸无物欲　眼自空明300.As soon as you cast aside the material desires, your eyes will be brightened up.
301.林岫江畔　诗兴自涌301.Amidst the forests and hills or beside the rivers and lakes, the exalted, poetic mood will spring up of itself.
302.伏久飞高　开先谢早302.The longer the bird rests in concealment, the higher it flies; the earlier the flower blooms, the sooner it fades.
303.花叶徒荣　玉帛成空303.The flourishing flowers and leaves are nothing but brilliance in vain; the multitude of wealth is only a brief dream of grandeur.
304.真空不空　在世出世304.To preserve internal emptiness does not mean to expel all the sensations; only by living in the mundane world can one transcend it.
305.欲有尊卑　贪无二致305.The respected and the humble are different in desires, but are much the same in cravings.
306.覆雨翻云　不介于怀306.Take no heed to the changes of the world, however frequent.
307.前念后念　随缘打发307.The distracting thoughts, previous or present, are better to be dismissed as circumstances would allow.
308.偶会佳境　自然真机308.A casually grasped apprehension leads to the realm enjoyable,and a thing arising in accord with Nature bares its mystery.
309.性天澄澈　何必谈禅309.A pure-natured person needn’t explicate the Buddhist tenets.
310.人有真境　即可自愉310.In everyone’s heart there is a wonderland, leisurely and comfortable.
311.幻以求真　雅不离俗311.Truth cannot but be obtained through illusions, nor can but nobility be derived from vulgarity.
312.俗眼观异　道眼观常312.View with a mundane eye, things are different one another; but with a super-mundane eye, all the same.
313.布被神酣　藜羹味足313.Even a quilt of coarse cloth can bring a sound sleep and a scanty meal produce sufficient flavor.
314.了心悟性　俗即是僧314.A layman is called a monk if he can discard the worldly desires and realize the essence of the Way.
315.万虑都捐　一真自得315.Clear off all the worldly vexations, and one will feel quite oneself.
316.性天未枯　机神触发316.The instincts of all nature never wither and the tendency of life stops at nothing.
317.把柄在手　收放自如317.Obtain a firm hold so as to feel free whether to be restrained or unrestrained accordingly.
318.造化人心　混合无间318.Nature’s creation and human feelings often blend as one.
319.文以拙进　道以拙成319.It is only on the basis of plainness that progress can be made in writings and accomplishment be effected in moral cultivation.
320.以我转物　大地逍遥320.A good control over exterior things breeds boundless freedom and unrestrainedness.
321.形去影去　心空境空321.When the shape is removed, its shadow disappears; when the heart is made void, its surroundings become void, too.
322.处世任事　总在自适322.In dealing with the world or doing something, one should always suit them to oneself.
323.思及生死　万念灰冷323.Think about life and death, and all the thoughts and ambitions will be blasted.
324.福祸生死　须有卓见324.There needs supreme wisdom to understand happiness and calamity, life and death.
325.妍丑胜负　今又安在325.Where now are the beautiful and ugly on the stage or the victory and defeat on the checkerboard?
326.风花竹石　静闲得之326.The wind, the flowers, the bamboos and the rocks are only enjoyable at tranquility and leisure.
327.天全欲淡　人生至境327.It is the acme of human life to keep the nature intact and get along with few desires.
328.观心增障　齐物剖同328.To undertake self-examination is to add more barriers to selfcultivation; to integrate the myriad things is to disintegrate the organic whole.
329.悬崖撒手　苦海离身329.Rein in at the brink of the precipice so as to avoid falling into the sea of bitterness.
330.修行绝尘　悟道涉俗330.To conduct self-cultivation, it is best to cut loose from the worldly affects; to perceive the way of the world, it is best to merge into the world of mortals.
331.人我一视　动静两忘331.Regard the multitude and yourself as one and let both quietude and clamor fade into oblivion.
332.山居清洒　入尘即俗332.When dwelling in mountains one feels fresh and relaxed but becomes vulgar when returning to worldly society.
333.野鸟作伴　白云相留333.So long as your mind is set at leisure, even the wild birds and white clouds will come to accompany you.
334.念头稍异　境界顿殊334.A minor shift of mind can immediately bring about a quite different world in front of our eyes.
335.水滴石穿　瓜熟蒂落335.A stone can be worn away by drops of water; when a melon is ripe, it falls off its stem.
336.机息有风月　心远无喧嚣336.The mind free of intrigues and maneuvers brings natural subtlety; the heart far apart from the mundane world has no room for distractions and confusions.
337.生生之意　天地之心337.Boundless vitality of myriad things is the fruit of the charity of Nature.
338.雨后山清　静中钟扬338.After a shower of rain the hills look so fresh and so melodious sounds the bell tone in stillness.
339.雪夜读书　神清气爽339.Reading a book on a snowy night helps to refresh the spirit and comfort the heart.
340.万钟一发　存乎一心340.The value of a thing, big or small, is decided by the conception of value.
341.以我转物　驾驭欲念341.Control the external things and be master of your internal desires.
342.就身了身　以物付物342.Understand your true self through meditation, and let things go in accord with their natural bent.
343.抱身心忧　耽风月趣343.Just as beware of untoward happenings to the body and heart,so try to understand how to take the pleasure to enjoy the mysteries of Nature.
344.一念不生　处处真境344.Banish the distracting thoughts from your mind, and you will find paradise everywhere.
345.顺逆一视　欣戚两忘345.Extend equal treatment to both fortune and adversity, and remain unswayed by either joys or worries.
346.空谷巨响　过而不留346.The whistling wind blowing through an open valley leaves no sound behind when it passes.
347.世亦不尘　海亦不苦347.The world is not a land of pomp and vanity, nor is the human life a sea of bitterness.
348.花看半开　酒饮微醉348.To enjoy flowers, it is best to enjoy them when they are in half bloom; when drinking wine, drink only until you are tipsy.
349.坚守故我　不受点染349.Keep your nature intact by remaining unspotted by the mundane affairs.
350.玩物自得　不在物华350.To ride a hobby is not to enjoy the superficial brilliance, but to attain enlightenment from it.
351.清名沦丧　生不如死351.A depraved person would be better off to die than to live.
352.着眼要高　不落圈套352.Be far-sighted and high-minded so as to avoid falling into a snare.
353.根蒂在手　不受提掇353.Stick to the crucial points by not being manipulated by the outside force.
354.无事为福　雄心冰融354.To be involved in nothing is happiness in which ambitions vanish like the melted ice.
355.茫茫世间　矛盾之窟355.The vast world is like a den of motley crowd.
356.身在事中　心超事外356.When engaged in something one should let his heart stay aloof from it.
357.不减求增　桎梏此生357.Those who do not seek to save the troubles but strive to increase them instead are simply fettering themselves.
358.满腔和气　随地春风358.Fill the heart with auspiciousness, and wherever you go you will have the spring breeze for company.
359.嗜欲无碍　纯朴就好359.Personal addictions and desires bring no harm so long as they are kept in a simple and honest way.
360.万事随缘　随遇而安360.Comply with fate and Nature in doing everything and accommodate yourself to circumstances.

菜根谭：汉英对照

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