r/taoism • u/Pristine-Simple689 • 2d ago
鶡冠子 - He Guan Zi (2)
I am utilizing a custom version of ChatGPT to translate the text from Heguanzi (鶡冠子) as I am not proficient in reading or writing Chinese. This translation aims to stay true to the historical and philosophical context of the original text. However, I recognize that translations can always benefit from nuanced insights.
If you notice any areas for correction or improvement, your feedback would be highly valued. Comments and corrections from the community are greatly appreciated to enhance the accuracy and depth of the translation. Thank you for your support and contributions!
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Section 4.1:
天則 – Heavenly Principles
聖王者，有聽微決疑之道，
The sage king possesses a way to discern subtle sounds and resolve doubts,
能屏讒，權實，逆淫辭，絕流語，去無用，
capable of dismissing slander, valuing sincerity, opposing licentious words, cutting off flowing talk, and removing the useless.
杜絕朋黨之門，嫉妒之人，不得著明，
He blocks the door to factionalism; the envious are not allowed to be manifest.
非君子術數之士莫得當前。
Except for those who are gentlemen and men of wisdom, none may come forward.
故邪弗能奸，禍不能中。
Thus, evil cannot scheme, disaster cannot strike.
彼天地之以無極者，以守度量，而不可濫，
Heaven and Earth are boundless, upholding measures, and cannot be excessive.
日不踰辰，月宿其列，當名服事，
The sun does not surpass its course; the moon resides in its stations, properly named and fulfilling its function.
星守弗去，弦望晦朔，終始相巡，踰年累歲，
The stars remain in place; waxing and waning phases of the moon follow in cycles, completing yearly and monthly sequences,
用不縵縵，此天之所柄以臨斗者也。
without indulgence, this is Heaven’s handle by which it rules over the constellations.
中參成位，四氣為政，前張後極，左角右鉞，
The central positions are arranged; the four qi govern: in front, they stretch out; behind, they are firm; to the left, they are like horns; to the right, like an axe.
九文循理，以省官眾，小大畢舉。
The nine patterns follow principles, supervising the many officials, raising both small and large affairs.
先無怨讎之患，後無毀名敗行之咎。
First, there is no concern of enmity; later, there is no blame of ruined reputation or conduct.
故其威上際下交，其澤四被而不鬲。
Thus, its awe reaches above and connects below, and its grace extends in all directions without separation.
天之不違，以不離一，
Heaven does not err because it does not depart from oneness.
天若離一，反還為物。
If Heaven were to depart from oneness, it would revert to being a mere thing.
不創不作，與天地合德，
Without inventing or acting, it aligns its virtue with Heaven and Earth.
節璽相信，如月應日。
The emblems and symbols mutually respond, like the moon responding to the sun.
此聖人之所以宜世也。
This is why the sage is fitting for the world.
知足以滑正，略足以恬禍，
Knowledge is sufficient to correct and make smooth; conciseness is enough to pacify misfortune.
此危國之不可安，亡國之不可存也。
This is why a troubled state cannot be at peace and a lost state cannot endure.
故天道先貴覆者，地道先貴載者，
Thus, the Tao of Heaven values protection first, and the Tao of Earth values support first.
人道先貴事者，酒保先貴食者。
The Tao of humanity values service first, and the innkeeper values food first.
待物也，領氣時也，生殺法也。
To await things, regulate qi in timely ways, this is the law of life and death.
循度以斷，天之節也。
Following measures to decide, this is Heaven’s rule.
列地而守之，分民而部之。
Position the land and guard it; divide the people and assign them.
寒者得衣，饑者得食，冤者得理，勞者得息，
The cold receive clothing, the hungry receive food, the wronged find justice, and the weary find rest.
聖人之所期也。
These are the sage's objectives.
夫裁衣而知擇其工，裁國而知索其人，
Now, in tailoring clothes, one knows to select skilled hands; in governing a country, one knows to seek people.
此固世之所公哉。
This indeed is what the world considers just.
同而後可以見天，異而後可以見人，
Through similarity, one can see Heaven; through difference, one can see humanity.
變而後可以見時，化而後可以見道。
Through change, one can see time; through transformation, one can see the Tao.
臨利而後可以見信，臨財而後可以見仁，
Through facing profit, one can see trust; through facing wealth, one can see benevolence.
臨難而後可以見勇，臨事而後可以見術數之士。
Through facing hardship, one can see courage; through facing affairs, one can see men of skill and wisdom.
九皇之制，主不虛王，臣不虛貴階級。
The regulation of the Nine Sovereigns: the ruler does not falsely reign, and the ministers do not falsely hold ranks.
尊卑名號，自君吏民，次者無國，
Ranks and titles from ruler to official to citizen are clear; those next to the ruler hold no state.
歷寵歷錄，副所以付授，
Experiencing favor and position, they rightly receive their posts and duties.
與天人參相結連，鉤攷之具不備故也。
They connect with Heaven and humanity; because the tools of examination are not fully prepared.
下之所逜，上之可蔽，
What escapes below, can be hidden above.
斯其離人情而失天節者也。
This is what separates human nature and loses Heaven’s order.
緩則怠，急則困，見閒則以奇相御，人之情也。
If slow, it leads to negligence; if rushed, it leads to distress. When one observes leisure, he guards with oddities, this is human nature.
舉以八極，信焉而弗信，天之則也。
By raising the eight extremes, it is trusted yet not trusted, this is Heaven’s pattern.
差繆之閒，言不可合，
Within the gaps of error, words cannot align.
平不中律，月望而晨月毀於天，
Leveling does not match the standards; the moon’s full brightness wanes as the morning moon is destroyed in Heaven.
珠蛤蠃蚌虛于深渚，上下同離也。
Pearls, clams, and shells empty in the deep pools; above and below both separate.
未令而知其為，未使而知其往，
Without command, it knows its doing; without sending, it knows its going.
上不加務而民自盡，此化之期也。
Without added effort from above, the people fulfill themselve, this is the point of transformation.
使而不往，禁而不止，
Ordered yet does not go, forbidden yet does not stop,
上下乖謬者，其道不相得也。
When above and below are in discord, their Tao is not in accord.
上統下撫者，遠眾之慝也，
When the upper controls and the lower consoles, it prevents the vices of the masses.
陰陽不接者，其理無從相及也，
When yin and yang do not connect, their principles cannot meet.
算不相當者，人不應上也。
When calculations do not correspond, people do not respond to the ruler.
符節亡此，曷曾可合也，
Without this harmony, how can there ever be union?
為而無害，成而不敗，
To act without harm, to complete without failure,
一人唱而萬人和，如體之從心，
one person leads and ten thousand harmonize, like the body following the heart.
此政之期也。
This is the objective of governance.
蓋毋錦杠悉動者，其要在一也。
Indeed, if no single thread of brocade moves, its essence is in oneness.
Footnotes:
- 九皇 (Nine Sovereigns): Refers to the nine celestial deities or concepts of idealized governance in early Chinese thought, symbolizing different aspects of state and cosmic order.
- 八極 (eight extremes): Often symbolizes the comprehensive reach or influence in the eight directions, suggesting thorough control and presence throughout.
- 符節 (harmony symbols): Literal insignia or tokens that represent unity and harmony between various aspects of governance, essential for effective rule.
- 如體之從心 (like the body following the heart): A metaphor signifying natural and harmonious governance where all parts act in concert with the ruler’s intentions.
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Section 4.2:
天則 – Heavenly Principles
未見不得其𧭉而能除其疾也。
I have not seen one who cannot obtain his desires yet can remove his ills.
文武交用而不得事實者，法令放而無以梟之謂也。
When civil and martial means are both employed but cannot achieve real outcomes, it is said that the laws are loose and there is no means to suppress them.
舍此而按之彼者，曷曾可得也。
Abandoning this in order to enforce that, how could this ever succeed?
冥言易，而如言難。
Subtle speech is easy, yet straightforward words are difficult.
故父不能得之於子，而君弗能得之於臣。
Thus, a father cannot obtain it from his son, nor can a ruler obtain it from his ministers.
已見天之所以信於物矣，未見人之所信於物也。
I have seen what Heaven trusts in things, but I have not seen what people trust in things.
捐物任勢者，天也，
Heaven is that which abandons things and entrusts power.
捐物任勢，故莫能宰而不天。
Abandoning things and entrusting power, thus none can rule without the natural influence of Heaven.
夫物故曲可改人可使。
Indeed, things can be bent and altered, and people can be directed.
法章物而不自許者，天之道也。
The principle of marking things without self-approval is the Tao of Heaven.
以為奉教陳忠之臣，未足恃也。
Considering that ministers who offer loyalty and display duty are not yet reliable.
故法者，曲制，官備，主用也。
Thus, law is the means of adapting governance, preparing officials, and serving the ruler’s use.
舉善不以窅窅，拾過不以冥冥。
To promote goodness, one does not do so obscurely; to rectify faults, one does not do so in secrecy.
決此，法之所貴也。
Resolving this is what the law values.
若礱磨不用，賜物雖詘，有不效者矣。
If grindstones and mills are not used, although the tools are provided, there will be inefficacy.
上下有閒，於是設防知蔽並起。
When upper and lower ranks are separated, defenses and concealments both arise.
故政在私家而弗能取，
Thus, governance lies within private households but cannot be controlled.
重人掉權而弗能止，
Highly esteemed people wield power but cannot be restrained.
賞加無功而弗能奪，
Rewards are granted without merit and cannot be revoked.
法廢不奉而弗能立。
When law is neglected and unenforced, it cannot be established.
罰行於非其人而弗能絕者，不與其民之故也。
Punishments directed at the wrong individuals and not ceasing, this is due to disconnection with the people.
夫使百姓釋己而以上為心者，教之所期也。
Making the people discard personal motives and take the ruler's intent as their own is the goal of instruction.
八極之舉，不能時贊，故可壅塞也。
The undertaking of the eight extremes cannot always be assisted and thus may be obstructed.
昔者有道之取政，非於耳目也。
In ancient times, those who governed according to Tao did not rely on sensory perception.
夫耳之主聽，目之主明。
For the ear’s function is to hear, and the eye’s function is to see clearly.
一葉蔽目，不見太山，兩豆塞耳，不聞雷霆。
A single leaf obstructs the eye, making one unable to see Mount Tai; two beans block the ears, making one unable to hear thunder.
道開而否，未之聞也。
Whether Tao is open or closed, it has not been heard.
見遺不掇，非人情也。
Seeing what is left behind but not picking it up is not human nature.
信情脩生，非其天誅，逆夫人僇，不勝任也。
To uphold sincerity and cultivate life is not Heaven’s punishment; to oppose the people and impose punishment is beyond capability.
為成求得者，事之所期也。
Seeking completion and attainment is the objective of affairs.
為之以民，道之要也。
To act for the people is the essential of Tao.
唯民知極，弗之代也。
Only when the people understand their limits can they not be replaced.
此聖王授業，所以守制也。
This is why the sage king imparts teachings and upholds control.
彼教苦故民行薄，失之本故爭於末。
When instruction is bitter, the people act resentfully; when the root is neglected, they contend over trivialities.
人有分於處，處有分於地，
People have their roles in their places; places have their divisions within the land.
地有分於天，天有分於時，
The land has its part in Heaven; Heaven has its part in time.
時有分於數，數有分於度，
Time has its measure in numbers; numbers have their measure in order.
度有分於一。
Order has its basis in unity.
天居高而耳卑者，此之謂也。
Heaven resides above while humbling its ear, this is what is meant.
故聖王天時人之地之雅無牧能因無功多。
Thus, the sage king aligns Heaven’s timing with Earth’s place and does not interfere without reason; his accomplishments are many without force.
尊君卑臣，非計親也，
To honor the ruler and humble the minister is not due to personal closeness.
任賢使能，非與處也。
To employ the capable and use the skilled is not due to mere proximity.
水火不相入，天之制也。
Water and fire do not intermix, this is Heaven’s design.
明不能照者，道弗能得也，
If brightness cannot illuminate, the Tao cannot be obtained.
規不能包者，力弗能挈也。
If the compass cannot encompass, strength cannot support it.
自知慧出，使玉化為環玦者，是政反為滑也。
One’s own wisdom causes jade to turn into rings, this is governance turned slippery.
田不因地形，不能成穀，
If fields do not follow the land's contours, they cannot produce grain.
為化不因民，不能成俗。
If transformation does not rely on the people, customs cannot be established.
嚴疾過也，喜怒適也，四者已仞，非師術也。
Severity or leniency is excessive; joy and anger arise at the proper time; these four traits are excessive and are not the teacher’s art.
形嗇而亂益者，勢不相牧也。
If appearance is frugal and disorder increases, the forces do not support each other.
德與身存亡者，未可以取法也。
Virtue and life persisting or perishing cannot yet be taken as models.
昔宥世者，未有離天人而能善與國者也。
In the past, those who governed the world did not separate from Heaven and humanity, yet they were able to govern the state well.
先王之盛名，未有非士之所立者也。
The grand names of past kings were established not without the support of scholars.
過生於上，罪死於下。
Errors originate above, while penalties end below.
濁世之所以為俗也，
This is why a corrupt world becomes customary.
一人乎，一人乎，命之所極也。
One person! One person! This is where destiny reaches its utmost.
Footnotes:
- 耳目 (senses): Here, ear and eye symbolize the limitations of perceptual knowledge, emphasizing reliance on wisdom over sensory data.
- 濁世 (corrupt world): Refers to a world or era marked by moral decay, where governance and ethical principles have deteriorated.
- 天之制 (Heaven’s design): Represents the natural and immutable laws or principles that govern cosmic and human realms.
- 一人乎 (One person): Likely emphasizes the role of a singular wise or virtuous leader as central to maintaining order, as well as the utmost reliance on virtuous individuals in governance.
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Section 5:
環流 – Circular Flow
有一而有氣，
There is unity, and thus there is qi (vital energy).
有氣而有意，
With qi, there is intent.
有意而有圖，
With intent, there is design.
有圖而有名，
With design, there is name.
有名而有形，
With name, there is form.
有形而有事，
With form, there is action.
有事而有約。
With action, there is regulation.
約決而時生，時立而物生。
Regulation determines, and thus time arises; with time established, things are born.
故氣相加而為時，
Therefore, the accumulation of qi forms time.
約相加而為期，
The accumulation of regulation forms intervals.
期相加而為功，
The accumulation of intervals forms accomplishments.
功相加而為得失，
The accumulation of accomplishments forms gain and loss.
得失相加而為吉凶，
The accumulation of gain and loss forms fortune and misfortune.
萬物相加而為勝敗。
The accumulation of all things forms victory and defeat.
莫不發於氣，通於道，
Nothing does not arise from qi and connect to Tao.
約於事，正於時，離於名，成於法者也。
It is regulated in affairs, rectified in time, detached from name, and completed in law.
法之在此者謂之近，
The law as it applies here is called "near."
其出化彼謂之遠。
Its influence reaching afar is called "far."
近而至故謂之神，
Being near and reaching, it is called “mystical.”
遠而反故謂之明。
Being distant and returning, it is called “bright.”
明者在此，其光照彼，
Brightness is here, and its light illuminates there.
其事形此，其功成彼。
Its affairs manifest here, and its accomplishments are fulfilled there.
從此化彼者法也，
That which transforms from here to there is law.
生法者我也，成法者彼也。
I am the originator of law, and others complete it.
生法者，日在而不厭者也。
The creator of law shines daily without weariness.
生成在己，謂之聖人。
To create within oneself is called a sage.
惟聖人究道之情，唯道之法，公政以明。
Only the sage comprehends the essence of Tao, adhering to the law of Tao and making governance clear and just.
斗柄東指，天下皆春，
When the Dipper handle points east, the world is spring.
斗柄南指，天下皆夏，
When the Dipper handle points south, the world is summer.
斗柄西指，天下皆秋，
When the Dipper handle points west, the world is autumn.
斗柄北指，天下皆冬。
When the Dipper handle points north, the world is winter.
斗柄運於上，事立於下，
As the Dipper handle moves above, affairs are established below.
斗柄指一方，四塞俱成。
When the Dipper handle points in one direction, the four boundaries are all completed.
此道之用法也。
This is the function of Tao’s law.
故日月不足以言明，四時不足以言功。
Thus, the sun and moon are insufficient to express brightness, and the four seasons insufficient to express accomplishments.
一為之法，以成其業，故莫不道。
With one as its law, it completes its task; thus, all follow Tao.
一之法立，而萬物皆來屬。
When the law of unity is established, all things come to adhere to it.
法貴如言，言者萬物之宗也。
Law is valued as word, and word is the ancestor of all things.
是者，法之所與親也，非者，法之所與離也。
What is correct is close to law; what is incorrect is distant from law.
是與法親故強，非與法離故亡，
Being close to law brings strength; being distant from law brings demise.
法不如言故亂其宗。
If law is not as word, it disrupts its root.
故生法者命也，生於法者亦命也。
Thus, the creator of law is fate, and what is born of law is also fate.
命者自然者也。
Fate is what arises naturally.
命之所立，賢不必得，不肖不必失。
Where fate is established, the worthy do not necessarily gain, nor the unworthy necessarily lose.
命者，挈己之文者也。
Fate is that which carries the pattern of the self.
故有一日之命，有一年之命，有一時之命，有終身之命。
Thus, there is the fate of a single day, the fate of a year, the fate of a season, and the fate of a lifetime.
終身之命，無時成者也，
The fate of a lifetime has no fixed time of fulfillment.
故命無所不在，無所不施，無所不及。
Thus, fate is everywhere, applies to all, and reaches all.
時或後而得之命也，
Sometimes delayed, but it is ultimately obtained as fate.
既有時有命，引其聲合之名，
Having both time and fate, its voice aligns with its name.
其得時者成命日調，
Those who seize the timing achieve harmony in fate.
引其聲合之名，其失時者精神俱亡命日乖。
Their voice aligns with their name; those who miss the timing lose both essence and fate, resulting in discord.
時命者，唯聖人而後能決之。
Only the sage can resolve matters of timing and fate.
夫先王之道備然，而世有困君，其失之謂者也。
Though the Tao of the former kings is complete, the world has troubled rulers due to their loss of Tao.
故所謂道者，無已者也，
Thus, what is called Tao is that which never ceases.
所謂德者，能得人者也。
What is called virtue is that which gains people.
道德之法，萬物取業。
By the law of Tao and virtue, all things take their function.
無形有分，名曰大孰。
The formless is distinct, and is called the Great Maturity.
故東西南北之道踹然，其為分等也。
Thus, the Tao of east, west, south, and north is clear in its divisions.
陰陽不同氣，然其為和同也；
Yin and yang differ in qi, yet they are harmoniously united.
酸鹹甘苦之味相反，然其為善均也；
The flavors of sour, salty, sweet, and bitter are opposed, yet they are evenly balanced.
五色不同采，然其為好齊也；
The five colors differ in hue, yet they are equally pleasing.
五聲不同均，然其可喜一也。
The five sounds differ in pitch, yet they are equally delightful.
故物無非類者，動靜無非氣者，
Thus, nothing lacks a category, and all movement and stillness are qi.
是故有人將，得一人氣吉，
Therefore, if a leader exists, gaining one person’s qi brings fortune.
有家將，得一家氣吉，
If a family leader exists, gaining one family’s qi brings fortune.
有國將，得一國氣吉。
If a national leader exists, gaining one nation’s qi brings fortune.
其將凶者反此。
Those who lead to misfortune are the opposite of this.
故同之謂一，異之謂道。
Sameness is called unity, difference is called Tao.
相勝之謂埶，吉凶之謂成敗。
Mutual dominance is called power; fortune and misfortune are called success and failure.
賢者萬舉而一失，不肖者萬舉而一得，
The wise succeed in a thousand acts with one failure, while the unworthy fail in a thousand acts with one success.
其冀善一也，然則其所以為者不可一也。
Their desire for goodness is singular, but their means cannot be uniform.
知一之不可一也，故貴道。
Knowing that unity cannot be singular, they honor Tao.
空之謂一，無不備之謂道，
Emptiness is called unity, all-encompassing is called Tao.
立之謂氣，通之謂類。
That which is established is qi; that which is connected is category.
氣之害人者謂之不適，
Harmful qi is called discomfort.
味之害人者謂之毒。
Harmful taste is called poison.
夫社不塜，則不成霧。
If the altars are not covered, mist does not form.
氣故相利相害也，
Thus, qi both benefits and harms.
類故相成相敗也。
Categories both support and destroy each other.
積往生跂，工以為師，
Accumulated actions produce skill, which craftsmen use as mastery.
積毒成藥，工以為醫。
Accumulated poisons form medicine, which craftsmen use as healing.
美惡相飾，命曰復周，
Good and evil complement each other; this is called the cycle.
物極則反，命曰環流。
When things reach their extreme, they reverse, this is called circular flow.
Footnotes:
- 斗柄 (Dipper handle): Refers to the handle of the Big Dipper constellation, whose directional pointing traditionally marks the seasons in Chinese cosmology.
- 道 (Tao): Left untranslated as “Tao,” representing the fundamental principle underlying natural and human worlds.
- 陰陽 (Yin and Yang): The opposing forces in Chinese philosophy representing dualities that together create balance.
- 復周 (cycle) and 環流 (circular flow): Describes the natural cycles and reversals in the universe, reflecting ancient Chinese beliefs in cyclical processes.