172,不作无补之功,不为无益之事

管子语录 汉英双解

【原文】不作无补之功,不为无益之事,故意定而不营气情。气情不营则耳目穀、衣食足;耳目穀、衣食足,则侵争不生,怨怒无有,上下相亲,兵刃不用矣。《禁藏》

【汉解】不要搞没有意义的工作,不要做无益的事情,这样就意气安定,思想感情不受迷惑。思想感情不受迷惑则耳目聪明、衣食丰足;耳聪目明、衣食丰足,就不会彼此争夺,不会互相怨怒,上下可以相亲,用不着动用武力了。

【英译】By not expending useless effort or engaging in meaningless activity, one’s thoughts become settled and one does not let one’s vital force and true nature become preoccupied[with material things]. If one’s vital force and true nature are not thus preoccupied, one’s ears and eyes will be sharp and clear and one’s clothing and food sufficient. If ears and eyes are sharp and clear and clothing and food are sufficient, aggression will not occur and resentment will not exist. Those on high and those below will draw close together and there will be no need for the use of armed force.