道德经第7章中英文对照及讲解

《道德经》第七章

天长地久，天地所以能长且久者，以其不自生，故能长生。是以圣人后其身而身先，外其身而身存。非以其无私邪？故能成其私。

《Tao-Te Ching》Chapter 7

Heaven is eternal，the Earth Everlasting. How come they to be so？Is it because they do not foster their own lives；That is why they live so long. Therefore the Sage Puts himself in the background；but is always to the fore. Remains outside；but is always there. Is it not just because he does not strive for any personal end That all his personal ends are fulfilled？

【易解】

天长地久。天地所以能够长久，是因为它们不去强求一种非其不可的状况维持，所以能够长久。因此，圣人把自己的切身利益置后，反而成了人群的首领；把自己的身家性命置之度外，反而更好地保护了自己的身家性命。不正是因为他对自己很无所谓吗？这样反而可以更好地成就他自己。