《菜根谭》是明朝还初道人洪应明收集编著的儒家经典，是一部论述修养、人生、处世、出世的语录集。其文字简炼明隽，兼采雅俗，言辞中流露出山林意趣，渗透着万物一体的世界观。开出的处世之方偏重心态和人事，悟虚妄真实之理，指出贫富、尊卑、穷达因为心念使善恶、祸福相互转换，告诫世人及时转念，戒贪少欲，取中庸之道。著作前后内容和深度有所不同，反映出了不同的阅历和境界。

《菜根谭》（种德施惠、无位公相）

平民肯种德施惠，便是无位的公相；士夫徒贪权市宠，竟成有爵的乞人。

If an ordinary person secretly stores up virtue and does charitable deeds he is as influential as a duke or minister despite his lack of fame and position. If a noble grandee does nothing but seek greater patronage, power and wealth, he is nothing more than a beggar with a titled rank.

（保罗·怀特 译）

An ordinary person who is willing to cultivate his morality and bestow benevolence to others will be esteemed as a duke without rank. A noble official who is only interested in seeking after higher rank and more favors will be looked down upon as a beggar with title.

（周文标 译）

A commoner who does good and accumulates merit is a lord without a title; a scholar official who covets power and curries favor is a beggar with a position.

（蒋坚松 译）

更多精品翻译素材，敬请关注可可英语。