《道德经》译解(12)去彼取此

                    — 《道德经》第十二章

图12-1 晨鸟图

五色令人目盲；五音令人耳聋；五味令人口爽；驰骋田猎，令人心发狂；难得之货，令人行妨。是以圣人为腹不为目，故去彼取此。

Colour's five hues from the eyes their sight will take;

Music's five notes the ears as deaf can make;

The flavours five deprive the mouth of taste;

The chariot course, and the wild hunting waste

Make mad the mind; and objects rare and strange,

Sought for, men's conduct will to evil change.

Therefore the sage seeks to satisfy (the craving of) the belly, and not the (insatiable longing of the) eyes. He puts from him the latter, and prefers to seek the former.