The only problem unconsciously assumed by all Chinese philosophers to be of any importance is: How shall we enjoy life, and who can best enjoy life?
中國所有的哲學(xué)家在不知不覺中認(rèn)為唯一重要的問題是:我們要怎樣享受人生?誰最會享受人生?
No perfectionism, no straining after the unattainable, no postulating of he unknowable; but taking poor, mortal human nature as it is, how shall we organize our life so that we can work peacefully, endure nobly and live happily?
我們不追求十全十美的理想,我們不尋找那些得不到的東西,我們不要求知道那些不得而知的東西;我們只認(rèn)識不完美的、終有一死的人的本性,我們要怎樣調(diào)整我們的人生,使我們可以平靜地工作著,曠達(dá)地忍耐著,幸福地生活著呢?
Who are we? That is first question. It is a question almost impossible to answer. But we all agree with the busy self occupied in our daily activities is not quite the real self.
我們是誰呢?這是第一個問題。這個問題幾乎是無法回答的。可是我們都承認(rèn)在我們?nèi)粘;顒又心敲疵β档淖晕?,并不完全是真正的自我?/p>
We are quite sure we have lost something in the mere pursuit of living. When we watch a person running about looking for something in a field, the wise man can set a puzzle for all the spectator to solve: what has that person lost? Some one thinks it is a watch; another thinks it is a diamond brooch; and others will essay other guesses. After all the guesses have failed, the wise man who really doesn’t know what the person is seeking after, tells the company:“I’ll tell you. He has lost some breath.” And no one can deny that he is right.
我們確信我們在患得患失的追求中已經(jīng)失掉了一些東西。當(dāng)我們看見一個人在一片田野上跑來跑去尋找東西時,智者可以編出一個難題給一切旁觀者去解答:那個人丟掉了什么呢?有的猜是一只表,有的猜是一枚鉆石胸針,其他的人則作其他的猜測。智者委實(shí)也不知道那個人在尋找什么東西,可是當(dāng)大家都猜不中的時候,他會對大家說:“我告訴你們吧, 他有點(diǎn)喘不過氣來了?!?沒有人會否認(rèn)他的話是對的。
So we often forget our true self in the pursuit of living, like a bird forgetting its own danger in pursuit of a mantis which again forgets its own danger in pursuit of another.
所以我們在人生的追求中常常忘掉了真正的自我,就像莊子在一個美妙的譬喻里所講的那樣,螳螂正要捕蟬,卻不知道黃雀正在后面想吃它呢。
(陳劍雯 摘)