Listen to this articleɡuānɡ ér bù yào 光而不耀
Bright but Not Dazzling
光明而不刺眼。老子用“光而不耀”来形容执政者对百姓的影响。在老子看来，执政者具有显赫的地位，并且掌握着足以影响百姓生活的权力与资源。从这个意义上来说，执政者对百姓的影响如同光照一样，是显明而不容回避的。但老子同时强调，执政者不应将自己的意志强加给百姓，而应因循、保全百姓的自然状态。百姓受到影响却不被伤害，如同在光明之中而不感到刺眼。“光而不耀”也可用于形容强者对待他人的方式。
This term means to be bright without being dazzling. Laozi used the term to describe the influence of those in power on ordinary people. High status, authority and resources enable them to have a great impact on people’s lives, just like a bright light that cannot be avoided. However, Laozi also believed that no person in power should impose his will on the people, whose natural state should be maintained and protected. To be influenced but not harmed is like being surrounded by light but not dazzled by it. The term can be used to describe the way any powerful person should treat others.
引例 Citation：
◎是以圣人方而不割，廉而不害，直而不肆，光而不耀。（《老子·五十八章》）
（因此圣人方正而不割伤他人，清廉而不伤害他人，正直而不刺激他人，光明而不刺人眼目。）
The sage is ethical but not hurtful, incorruptible but not disdainful, candid but not offensive, bright but not dazzling. (Laozi)
