兵强则灭 – Chinese philosophy and culture

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bīng qiáng zé miè 兵强则灭

Relying on Force and Flaunting One’s Superiority Leads to Destruction.

倚仗武力逞强就会灭亡。这是中国古代哲学家老子“守柔”理念的具体体现。老子认为,任何事物都有刚与柔、强与弱两个方面,这两个方面不是绝对的,在一定条件下它们可以相互转化;而且,从长远看,貌似刚强的东西,其实已经达到自己的极限;貌似柔弱的东西,反而更富于生机活力,处于上升趋势。就像那些自恃武力而四处逞强的国家一样,最终都会走向自己的反面。它告诉我们,治理国家、处理人际关系,千万不要过分刚强,更不能恃强凌弱,要以柔克刚、柔中有刚、刚柔相济,这样才能实现稳定和谐的局面。

Relying on force and flaunting one’s superiority leads to destruction. This is a concrete embodiment of ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi’s concept of shou rou (守 maintain; 柔 tenderness, gentleness). Laozi believed that every object has two sides, firmness as well as tenderness, strength as well as weakness. These two sides are not absolute, but under certain conditions, they can transform into the other. However, in the long run, things that appear to be firm and strong have in actuality reached its optimum, whereas things that are seemingly tender and weak are still full of vitality and vigor, and can escalate even further, just as those states which rely on force and flaunt their superiority everywhere will ultimately move towards their own destruction. This tells us that, in governing a state, or in managing interpersonal relations, one should never be overly staunch, and should not bully the weak. Instead, one should conquer the unyielding with gentleness, be firm but gentle, and tamper force with mercy, and only then can stability and harmony be achieved.

引例 Citation:

◎人之生也柔弱,其死也坚强。草木之生也柔脆,其死也枯槁。故坚强者死之徒,柔弱者生之徒。是以兵强则灭,木强则折。(《老子·七十六章》)

(人活着的时候身体是柔软的,死了以后身体就僵硬了。草木生长时是柔韧的,死了以后就干枯了。所以坚强的东西属于走向死亡的一类,柔弱的东西属于正在生长的一类。因此,依仗武力逞强就会灭亡,树木过于强硬就会折断。)

When a man is alive, his body is soft and weak. Upon his death, it becomes hard and stiff. When grass and trees live, they are soft and fragile. Upon their death, they turn withered and dry. Therefore, the hard and stiff are followers of death; the soft and weak are followers of life. That is why when an army flaunts its strength, it will soon perish, while when a tree becomes strong it snaps. (Laozi)

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