管子语录 汉英双解

【原文】人者立于强，务于善，未于能，动于故者也。圣人无之，无之则与物异矣。异则虚，虚者万物之始也，故曰“可以为天下始”。《心术上》

【汉解】一般人行事总是立意强求，专务修饰，欣味逞能，而运用故巧。圣人则没有这些毛病。没有这些就可以承认万物的不同规律。承认万物的不同就能做到虚，虚是万物的原始，所以说：“可以为天下始。”

【英译】Ordinary men establish themselves through force, pay attention to their appearance, have a taste for [showing off] their abilities, and move according to happenstance. But the sage does not do this. Since he does not do this, he differs from ordinary mortals. Since he is different, he can be vacuous. Emptiness is the beginning of all things. Therefore the statement says:”In the world he is considered first among all.”