2016年3月22日
《道德经》第十七章 / TAO TÖ KING 17th Chapter
太上①，不知有之②；其次，亲而誉之；其次，畏之；其次，侮之。信不足焉，有不信焉。悠兮③，其贵言④。功成事遂，百姓皆谓“我自然”⑤。
1、太上：至上、最好，指最好的统治者。
2、不知有之：人民不知有统治者的存在。
3、悠兮：悠闲自在的样子。
4、贵言：指不轻易发号施令。
5、自然：自己本来就如此。
A leader who was the best wasn't known to exist.
A leader who was more normal was loved and praised.
A leader who was more normal was been afraid of.
A leader who was more normal was damned.
When he didn't have enough credit,
someone wouldn't believe him.
He should look like being doing nothing,
and he should seldom speak.
When he had made a success and had his things done,
people should all say:
I am always like this.
附带一个法文译本：
Des grands souverains d'antan
le peuple ne connaissait que le nom.
Ce furent des rois aimés et loués.
Puis en vinrent d'autres qu'il craignit.
Puis d'autres qu'il méprisa.
A celui qui n'a pas confiance le peuple ne peut faire confiance.
L'énergie du grand souverain ne se dissipe pas en paroles.
Elle suscite toute vocation et toute action.
Alors le peuple dit :
C'est nous qui avons fait tout cela.
Il dit aussi: Nous sommes libres.
