德圩二 - Te Chapter 52

天下有始 以为天下母

既得亓母 以知亓子 复守亓母 没身不殆

塞亓闷 闭亓门 终身不堇

启亓闷 济亓事 终身不棘

见小曰明 守柔曰强

用亓光 复归亓明

毋遗身央 是胃袭常

世界有一个开始，这个开始也就作为世间万物的本源，由此孕育世间万物。如果了解到这个本源，就可以推知万物。推知万物，而不被万物所扰，重新回到原点谨守本源的道理，那么一生不会陷入危险的境地。 收敛心中的欲望，不再和外部打交道，终生不再操劳； 让心中欲望放任自流，又不停的参与繁杂的事务（被事务羁绊），终生显不出什么锋芒，也没什么成就。 细微的地方都看得清楚叫做明亮，能够守持柔弱的叫做强大。（晦暗的环境中）使用一点光芒就可以令环境恢复明亮，不要让这点光芒消亡（护持住光芒）就可以保持长久的明亮。这就是叫做承袭过去、长久不变。

• 堇，黏土也；涂抹；

• 棘，如矢斯棘；

• 遗，亡也；

• 央，一曰久也。

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The world has a beginning, which serves as the origin of all things, and from which all things are born. Understanding this origin allows one to understand all things, without being disturbed by them. By returning to the principles of the origin and keeping them in mind, one's life will not be in danger.

Constraining one's desires and not interacting with the outside world will lead to a life free from labor.

Allowing desires to flow freely but constantly being involved in busy affairs will lead to a life without any accomplishments.

Being able to see clearly in small details is called being bright, being able to maintain a gentle attitude is called being strong. Using a little light in a dark environment can restore brightness, and maintaining that light will lead to long-lasting brightness. This is called inheriting the past and remaining unchanged.