上德不德，是以有德。
下德不失德，是以無德。
上德，無為而無以為；
下德，為之而有以為；
上仁為之而無以為。
上義為之而有以為。
上禮為之而莫之應，則攘臂而扔之。
故失道而後德，失德而後仁，失仁而後義，失義而後禮；
夫禮者，忠信之薄，而亂之首。
前識者，道之華，而愚之始。
是以大丈夫處其厚，不居其薄，
處其實，不居其華，故去彼取此。
****
You can readily recognize the highest virtuousness
because it never places itself on display.
You can readily recognize the lowest virtuousness
because it is always announcing itself.
The highest virtue quietly serves universal needs.
The lowest virtue actively strives for personal success.
The highest morality serves common needs.
The lowest morality is self-serving.
True venevolence
acts without intention.
But when rituals go unheeded,
they are enforced with rolled-up sleeves.
Failing the Great Integrity, we resort to virtuousness.
Failing virtuousness, we resort to moralizing.
Failing moralizing, we resort to dogma,
the most superficial form of faith and loyalty,
and the nourishment for confusion.
Natural persons are attracted
to substance rather than form,
to the nutritious fruit rather than the enticing flower,
to that which dwells deeply within,
rather than to that which clings superficially to the surface.
***
後記：忽感惘然，從書架上找了本老子的《道德經》，讀了以上一篇。
P.S. Suddenly felt a bit confused, so I grabbed the 'Tao Te Ching' by Lao Tzu, and read the above.
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