| Chinese Text Project |
《辯德 - Discerning Virtue 》 | English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] | Library Resources |
| 1 | 辯德: | 知人者智，能知人好惡，是為智。自知者明。人能自知賢與不肖，是為反聽無聲，內視無形，故為明也。勝人者有力，能勝人者，不過以威力也。自勝者強。人能自勝己情欲，則天下無有能與己爭者，故為強也。知足者富，人能知足，則長保福祿，故為富也。強行者有志，人能強力行善，則為有意於道，道亦有意於人。不失其所者久，人能自節養，不失其所受天之精氣，則可以長久。死而不亡者壽。目不妄視，耳不妄聽，口不妄言，則無怨惡於天下，故長壽。 |
| Knowing people is wisdom. Being able to know what others like and dislike is called wisdom. Understanding oneself is true clarity. When a person can know whether he is virtuous or unworthy, this is called listening inwardly without sound and observing internally without form; thus it is called clarity. Overcoming others demonstrates strength. Those who can overcome others do so merely through power and force. One who overcomes oneself is truly strong. If a person can overcome his own desires and emotions, then there will be no one in the world who can contend with him; thus he is called strong. He who knows contentment is rich. If a person knows contentment, then he will always preserve blessings and fortune; thus he is called rich. He who persists in action has willpower. If a person exerts great effort to perform good deeds, then he shows intention toward the Dao; and the Dao also shows intention toward him. He who does not lose his place endures for a long time. If a person can restrain himself and cultivate care, not losing the refined qi bestowed by Heaven that he has received, then he may endure for a long time. To die without perishing is to be long-lived. If one's eyes do not gaze carelessly, ears do not listen recklessly, and mouth does not speak inappropriately, then there will be no resentment or hatred toward him from the world; thus he attains longevity. |
URN: ctp:heshanggong/33