第七十章
吾言甚易知，甚易行。天下莫能知，莫能行。言有宗，事有君。夫唯无知，是以不我知。知我者希，则我者贵。是以圣人被褐而怀玉。
Chapter 70
My words are easy to follow, and easy to put into practice. But people haven't yet followed, and haven't put into practice. Words have meanings, deeds have motivations. They don't understand me because they don't know these meanings and motivations. Very few understand me, and even fewer practice with me. Sages in fact carry real jades despite humble clothings.
第七十一章
知不知，上；不知知，病。夫唯病病，是以不病。圣人不病，以其病病，是以不病。
Chapter 71
Knowing one's shortcomings is good, not knowing his shortcomings is a shortcoming. Only if one makes up his shortcomings through learning, the shortcomings will no longer be shortcomings. A sage doesn’t have shortcomings because he takes shortcomings as they are. Then, they are no longer shortcomings.
七十二章
民不畏威，则大威至。无狎其所居，无厌其所生。夫唯不厌，是以不厌。是以圣人自知不自见，自爱不自贵。故去彼取此。
Chapter 72
When no one fears authority, danger is imminent. Do not maltreat people and worsen their livelihoods. Citizens wouldn't despise their ruler who doesn't oppress them. Hence, a sage is not only aware of his limitations, but also is weary of self exaggerations. He maintains self-respect instead of unnecessary ego. So he retains the former and discards the latter.
换一换
