道德经 译文之一

道德经　之一　(原文)　　Tao Te King 1 (Lao Tse, BC 570 - BC 470)

道可道，非常道。　　　　The way could be the way, but not a normal way;
名可名，非常名。　　　　the name could be the name, but not a normal name
無、名天地之始；　　　　Nothing, name the beginning of the world;
有、名萬物之母。　　　　Having, name the origin of the earth
故常無，欲以觀其妙；　　So all of nothing, to see its infinite;
常有，欲以觀其徼。　　　all of having, to see its limit
此兩者，　　　　　　　　and name of the difference,
同出而異名，　　　　　　Both of them, came from the same
同謂之玄。　　　　　　　and both called mystery
玄之又玄，　　　　　　　Mystery of mysteries,
眾妙之門。　　　　　　　of all marvelous the way

三种境界 (The Three Realms)

Chinese poems in ancient lyrics figuring the three realms passed through to a success *: 1. seek, see, and set a goal "Butterfly Loves Flower" - by Yan-Shu (991~1055): "As the green trees withered in The autumn wind of yesterevening, Come up the tower alone, and Overlook the skyline a road reaching ..." 2. hard-working on it "Dwelling Phoenix Tree" - by Liu-Yong (987~1053): "No regret of the loosing clothes, And pined away for her worth ..." 3. achieve the mastery New Year's Eve in "Green-jade Desk" - by Xin-Qiji (1140~1207): "Having sought for a thousand times, Turn back to find her under eyes ..."

王国维《人间词话》 二六 古今之成大事业、大学问者必经过三种之境界：“昨夜西风凋碧树。独上高楼，望尽天涯路”，此第一境也。“衣带渐宽终不悔，为伊消得人憔悴”，此第二境也。“众里寻他千百度，蓦然回首，那人却在灯火阑珊处”，此第三境也。

* Cited by Wang-GuoWei (1876-1927): "Poetics the World", section 26; Translated in 2001 © Boathill Studio.