道德经英文版（论德第三十八）
~{ 上德不德，是以有德；下德不失德，是以无德。~}
~{ 上德无为而无以为；下德无为而有以为。~}
~{ 上仁为之而无以为；上义为之而有以为。~}
~{ 上礼为之而莫之应，则攘臂而扔之。~}
~{ 故失道而后德，失德而后仁，失仁而后义，失义而后礼。~}
~{ 夫礼者，忠信之薄，而乱之首。~}
~{ 前识者，道之华，而愚之始。是以大丈夫处其厚，不居其薄；处~}
~{其实，不居其华。故去彼取此。~}
38.Ritual
Wellestablishedhierarchiesarenoteasilyuprooted;
Closelyheldbeliefsarenoteasilyletgo;
Soritualenthrallsgenerationaftergeneration.
Harmonydoesnotcareforharmony,andsoisnaturallyattained;
Butritualisintentuponharmony,andsocannotattainit.
Harmonyneitheractsnorreasons;
Loveacts,butwithoutreason;
Justiceactstoservereason;
Ritualactstoenforcereason.
Whenflowislost,thereremainsharmony;
Whenharmonyislost,thereremainslove;
Whenloveislost,thereremainsjustice;
Whenjusticeislost,thereremainsritual.
Ritualistheendofcompassionandhonesty,
Thebeginningofconfusion;
Faithisacolorfulhopeorfear,
Thebeginningoffolly.
Thegentlegobyharmony,notbyhope;
Theyliveonthefruit,nottheflower;
Theyacceptsubstance,andignoreappearance.