馬小秋：止於至善與上善若水

作者 | 馬小秋

The author|Ma Xiaoqiu

繼《秋言物語》的「大學之道」之後，有人問我：《大學》中的＂止於至善＂和《道德經》中的＂上善若水＂，是不是同一個境界？

Following the "method of great learning" inQiu Yan Wu Yu, some people once again asked me that whether "resting in the extreme excellence" inThe Great Learningis the same realm as "the highest excellence is like water" inTao Te Ching?

要說明這個問題，首先我們要明白＂止於至善＂的真正含義。止於至善是通過我們的心念力、行動力、智慧力使我們的生命完全發揮出利益社會和大眾的具體實踐，並在不斷的具體實踐中打造一個和諧美好的人間天堂。

To explain this problem, first of all we have to understand the true meaning of "resting in the extreme excellence" that is to make our lives fully play the specific practices good for the society and the public through our mind power, action and wisdom as well as to create a harmonious and beautiful paradise in constant practices.

再看＂上善若水＂。上善乃高境界的善，這種善的特徵、品性和水一樣，＂水善利萬物而不爭，處眾人之所惡，故幾於道＂。水具備利益萬物的功能，卻從不居功自傲。天下所有有情眾生（一切動物）和無情眾生（一切植物)都離不開水的滋養。天下所有的污垢，水都能把它洗刷乾淨，但水卻永遠處於低位。這就是水接近於＂道＂的特徵和品性。

For "the highest excellence is like water", the highest excellence is the high realm of excellence. This kind of excellence is like water in character. "The excellence of water appears in its benefiting all things, and in its occupying, without striving to the contrary, the low place which all men dislike. Hence its way is near to that of the Tao." Water has the function to benefit all things, but never be arrogant. All the sentient beings (all animals) and the insentient beings (all plants) in the world are inseparable from the nourishment of water. All the dirt in the world can be washed clean by water. But the water is always low. This is the character of water close to the "Tao".

在此，我還想說明的是，水＂故幾於道＂就是接近於道而不完全是道。因為水是有名，有相的，而＂道＂是無形、無相、無名的。

Here, I would also like to note that the way of water "is near to that of the Tao" that is the way of water is close to the Tao but not completely the Tao. Because the water has sound and appearance and the "Tao" is intangible, invisible and soundless.

因此，＂止於至善＂和「上善若水」是同一境界而不同名的一種說法，都是接近於＂道＂而不完全是＂道＂。＂道＂乃空性，含養萬物而無善惡之分別。＂至善＂和＂上善＂還有善惡之分別，而＂道＂則無善惡分別，容納一切。

Therefore, the "resting in the extreme excellence" and "the highest excellence is like water" are in the same realm and have different names, which are close to the "Tao" but not entirely the "Tao". "Tao" is empty, benefiting all things without the difference of goodness and evil. The "extreme excellence" and the "highest excellence" have difference in goodness and evil, while the "Tao" has not and includes everything.

2017年6月15日馬小秋分享

編輯 | 龐志翻譯| 王婷婷圖片 | 來源網路

1.秋言物語（38）| 馬小秋：大學之道

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