Original text

Heaviness is the root of lightness, and tranquility is the master of impatience.

Therefore, a gentleman never travels without his luggage. Although there is a view of glory, Yan is aloof. How can the Lord of all vehicles despise the world with his own body?

If you are gentle, you will lose your roots; if you are impatient, you will lose your authority.

Notes

Junzi: lt; Wang Bi gt; originally meant "sage". lt; Jinglong gt; This edition and many kinds of lt; Tang gt; lt; Song gt; The ancient versions are all titled "Junzi", and Han Feizi's "Yu Lao Pian" is also written as "Junzi", which is the same as the first version of the silk script.

Baggage: a vehicle carrying equipment and food in the army.

Rongguan: refers to a gorgeous life. "Rong" means luxurious and tall. "Guan" refers to terrace view and tower view.

Yan Chu: live in peace.

Lord of ten thousand chariots: refers to the monarch of a great country. "Ride" is the number of cars. "Wancheng" refers to a large country with thousands of military chariots.

To despise the world with one's own body: to let the world take its liberties and use one's own life lightly.

Today's translation

Thickness is the root of imprudence, and tranquility is the leader of restlessness.

Therefore, a gentleman walks all day without leaving a loaded vehicle. Although he has a gorgeous life, he lives in peace and tranquility. Why, as the monarch of a great country, do he rule the world rashly and restlessly?

If you are reckless, you will lose the foundation, and if you are restless, you will lose the main body.

Quote

This chapter talks about "quiet and serious" and comments on "hypocritical". A frivolous style is like a kite with its string cut off. It acts with integrity, hastily and blindly, and is ineffective.

I felt that the rulers at that time were extravagant and lewd, and indulged in self-mutilation, so I sighed. He said: "How can the Lord of ten thousand chariots despise the world with his own body?" This is a very sad thing to say. The ruler of a country should be calm and steady rather than rash and restless.

He said

The profound meaning of reading the original text of this chapter, in my humble opinion, is precisely the principle that Lao Tzu pointed out that "people follow the law of the earth". The earth, where our lives are based, carries all things and everything, and is endlessly prosperous. It runs all day long without complaint, and does not ask for any price from people and everything. It always moves forward silently and quietly, constantly rotating, and giving life nourishment to all living things. Therefore, as a human being, we should quietly imitate the earth and have the spirit to bear heavy loads. In particular, those who want to learn the way of saints should have the desire to shoulder all the pain and burdens for the world and all sentient beings. They should not lose sight of this sense of responsibility in one day. This is the original meaning of "a saint walks all day long without leaving his luggage". In particular, it is warned that leaders and officials, the monarchs who are expected by the people of the country and society, should have such intentions to be wise monarchs or good ministers. Therefore, in the following text, there is the famous saying "Although there is a view of glory, Yan is aloof".

"Walking all day long without leaving the baggage" means that people who aspire to be saints should always be cautious and fearful, and have a sense of responsibility to save the world and save people anytime and anywhere. For example, Shun, who was in exile, always had great filial piety in mind for the world. For example, when Yu the Great pacified the flood, he stayed out in the wind and rain for nine years. His feet were hairless and his shins were hairless. He passed through the gate three times without entering. But the ancients also said: Those who are virtuous will definitely get their name, their position, and their longevity. This is the inevitable law of cause and effect that good deeds are rewarded with good deeds. If you can achieve the status of making contributions to the world and being a virtuous person to all people, you will certainly receive the most glorious reward. Just as Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty said: "I have no intention of seeking wealth, who knows that wealth will force people to come." If a truly virtuous person reaches this status, even though he is in the "view of glory", he will still be indifferent and nihilistic, and will not change his original simplicity; even though he is in glory and wealth, he will still be aloof and unworthy of merit. Becoming famous, rich, and glorious, but exhausting one's heart, is the way for a virtuous person to live his life. The word "guan" in "Rongguan" here is a broken pronunciation. It should be read as the word "guan" for ancient buildings, not the word "guan" for viewing.

However, the princes and monarchs of various countries that Laozi saw and heard at that time certainly could not understand the principles of monarchy and ministership in traditional culture. Therefore, he sighed deeply and said: "How can the Lord of ten thousand chariots despise the world with his own body? If he is careless, he will lose his foundation; if he is impetuous, he will lose his master."

"The meaning of the so-called "the body is undervalued by the world" means that they are not aware of the importance of self-cultivation and self-cultivation, and have made the mistake of not knowing how to respect themselves. They do whatever it takes to gain utilitarian benefits in front of them, regardless of the consequences of losing their lives. Therefore, not only do they do it easily and easily Losing the world and killing oneself at the same time is a serious disease of "losing one's roots in a minor way, and losing one's ruler in an impatience".

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Article description: The content refers to Chen Guying's "Laozi's Commentary and Commentary"; Nan Huaijin's "Laozi's Commentary";