道经·第十三章
宠辱若惊,贵大患若身。何谓宠辱若惊?宠為下,得之若惊,失之若惊,是谓宠辱若惊。何谓贵大患若身?吾所以有大患者,為吾有身,及吾无身,吾有何患?故贵以身為天下者,若可寄天下;爱以身為天下者,若可託天下。
Tao Ching Chapter Thirteen
Honor and disgrace can surprise a person.
The greatest distress lies in one’s physical body.
What does it mean by “Honor and disgrace can surprise someone?”
Honor is inferior, because one who wins the favor is afraid of losing it.
And one who loses the favor is frightened with distress.
This is the significance of “Honor and disgrace can surprise someone.”
What does it mean by “The greatest distress lies in one’s body?”
We have fear because we worry about our physical self.
If one’s body does not exist, how can one has fear?
Therefore, he who values the world as much as he values himself, can be entrusted with the ruling of the world.
He who loves the world as much as he loves himself, can be entrusted with the guidance of the world.