中国文化英语教程Unit 2.

1、 Unit 2 Laozis Philosophy of Non-action Content p Lead-in p Text study p Exercises Lead-in p Introduction p Naturalness and Non-action p The Philosophy of Non-contention p Returning to Newborn State Text study Introduction Laozi (about 571-471 BC), also called Laodan, surname Li, given name Ran and

2、alias Boyang. He was a recluse (隐居者) who lived during the Spring and Autumn Period. He was said to have once held a low civil position in the royal court, in charge of archival records of the Zhou Dynasty. Laozi Laozi was a man of great learning. Even Confucius was said to have traveled miles to con

3、sult him. Introduction Additional Info Why is Li Ran known as Laozi rather than Lizi? There are two explanations as to the source of “Laozi”. Some say during the period when Li Ran was alive, Lao and Li were pronounced in the same way. So “Laozi” actually sounded the same as “Lizi” at that time. The

4、 second legend is that Li Ran was born with white eyebrow and white beard like an old man. Thus he was called “Laozi”. Introduction Laozi (老子), also known as Classic of the Way and Virtue (Dao De Jing. The author is generally believed to be Laozi. It consists of just over 5,000 Chinese characters. I

5、ts 81 chapters are divided into two parts, Dao (the Way) and De (Virtue). Introduction Laozi The book has played a tremendous role in the development of Chinese culture. It became the basis of Daoism, the school of philosophy parallel to Confucianism in ancient China. The thought of Laozi formed the

6、 foundation of Daoism, the most influential indigenous school of religion in China. Introduction The influence of Laozi It also exerts a direct impact on the characteristics, trends of thought and aesthetic sensibilities of the Chinese nation and is still playing a role in the development of Chinese

7、 thinking. Introduction Famous versions of its translation include that of James Legge and that of Stephen Mitchell. Laozi in the world It is first introduced into Europe possibly as early as the 15th century It has become one of the most translated philosophical works of ancient China. Additional I

8、nfo Introduction The core of Laozis philosophy Many of Laozis enlightening views are based on his philosophy of naturalness and non-action. Introduction Naturalness and Non-action Naturalness (顺应自然) Natural phenomena occur independently and naturally without following any human will, and humans shou

9、ld not try to change anything natural. Naturalness and Non-action Non-action is the guarantee of “naturalness”. Non-action (无为) Naturalness and Non-action By saying “(Dao or the Way ) acts through non- action”, Laozi did not mean that one should do nothing and passively wait for something to be achi

10、eved. Neither did he deny human creativity. Naturalness and Non-action “(Dao or the Way ) acts through non-action (无为而 无不为).” Selected from Laozi “Great ingenuity appears to be stupidity (大智若愚).” Selected from Laozi How do you understand this line? “Great ingenuity” refers to the highest level of in

11、genuity, arising so naturally that it does not resemble ingenuity at all. Ingenuity can be achieved through human effort, but “great ingenuity” is superior to ordinary ingenuity. Naturalness and Non-action Deceit To Laozi, resorting to deceit is true futility and would accomplish just the opposite r

12、esult. Those who intend to play tricks are not genuine and therefore are not natural. Deceit is detrimental to naturalness and to the harmony of life. Naturalness and Non-action The Philosophy of Non-contention Overcoming the strong by being weak The Philosophy of Non-contention According to Laozi,

13、war springs from humanitys bloated desires. Conflicts arises out of peoples struggle to satisfy their desires, and conflict escalates into war. Human striving and competitive strife is the root cause of decline; desiring nothing is the natural way of life. Therefore, Laozis philosophy is based on “n

14、on- contention”. The Philosophy of Non-contention “The greatest virtue is like water.” Laozi compared his philosophy of “non-contention” to water, to distinguish it from the law of jungle. The Philosophy of Non-contention “The greatest virtue is like water.” 上善若水，水善利万物而不争，处众人之所恶，上善若水，水善利万物而不争，处众人之所恶

15、， 故几于道。故几于道。 居善地，心善渊，与善仁，言善信，事善能，居善地，心善渊，与善仁，言善信，事善能， 动善时，夫惟不争，故无尤。动善时，夫惟不争，故无尤。 老子老子八章八章 Additional Info The Philosophy of Non-contention 上善若水，水善利万物而不争，处众人之所恶，故几于道。上善若水，水善利万物而不争，处众人之所恶，故几于道。 Legge: The highest excellence is like (that of) water. The excellence of water appears in its benefiting all

16、 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. Additional Info The Philosophy of Non-contention Mitchell: The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all things without trying to. It is content

17、 with the low places that people disdain. Thus it is like the Tao. 居善地，心善渊，与善仁，言善信，事善能，动善时，居善地，心善渊，与善仁，言善信，事善能，动善时， Legge: The excellence of a residence is in (the suitability of) the place; that of the mind is in abysmal stillness; that of associations is in their being with the virtuous; that of g

18、overnment is in its securing good order; that of (the conduct of) affairs is in its ability; and that of (the initiation of) any movement is in its timeliness. Mitchell: In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, dont try

19、to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present. The Philosophy of Non-contention 夫惟不争，故无尤。夫惟不争，故无尤。 Legge: And when (one with the highest excellence) does not wrangle (about his low position), no one finds fault with him. Mitchell: When you are content to be simply you

20、rself and dont compare or compete, everybody will respect you. The Philosophy of Non-contention The philosophy of Laozi is by no means weak. On the contrary, it is full of strength. Water is a typical example of the weak winning over the strong. Water is invincible because it desires nothing and con

21、tends for nothing. “Nothing in the world is weaker than water. Yet nothing is stronger than water when it comes to breaking something strong (天下莫柔弱于水，而攻坚强者 莫之能胜。).” Selected from Laozi The Philosophy of Non-contention “人之生也柔弱，其死也坚强。草木之生也柔弱，其死也枯槁。故坚 强者死之徒，柔弱者生之徒。强大处下，柔弱处上。”(选自老 子七十六章) Man at his birt

22、h is supple and weak; at his death, firm and strong. (So it is with) all things. Trees and plants, in their early growth, are soft and brittle; at their death, dry and withered. Thus it is that firmness and strength are the concomitants of death; softness and weakness, the concomitants of life. Ther

23、efore the place of what is firm and strong is below, and that of what is soft and weak is above. The Philosophy of Non-contention Additional Info The Philosophy of Non-contention Returning to a Newborn State Laozi saw the world as a madding crowd of vanity. He chose to live a simple, quiet life, and

24、 to keep his mind undisturbed in the face of temptation. He said he would rather remain a “newborn baby”. A newborn state How do you understand Laozis “newborn baby” state? Returning to a Newborn State The state of the newborn is free of any knowledge, desire, impurity or falsehood. When human being

25、s come into the world, the gradually acquire external knowledge and accept social norms. As humans mature, they become more and more hypocritical. The process of acculturation is the process of losing ones true self. This does not mean Laozi wanted to remain childishly ignorant. Laozis state of the

26、newborn refers to “complete innocence”. Laozi believed that sagespeople with the highest virtueall resembled newborns. The highest level of ones cultivation was to return to the “complete innocence” of a newborn baby. Returning to a Newborn State To Laozi, civilization is to a certain degree a depar

27、ture from the “true self”. The development of human culture is a process of “decoration”. Such “decorations” often turn into bloated desires. Desire-driven, human beings fight and deceive one another, leading to war. Returning to a Newborn State Desire disturbs peace of mind. If immersed in a sea of

28、 desire, in the end humans would be submerged. “Beautiful colors blind the eyes, complex music harms the ears, rich flavors numb taste, while riding and hunting madden the mind (五色令人目盲； 五音令人耳聋；五味令人口爽；驰骋畋猎，令人心发狂。).” Selected from Laozi Bloated desire has damaged the external world as well as poisoned

29、 the human mind. Returning to a Newborn State Returning to a Newborn State Exercises p Comprehension p Communication p Application Comprehension l. Skimming and Scanning Go through the passage quickly and judge whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F) according to the passage. _ 1)

30、 Laozi is a lengthy book on the Way and Virtue, which has played an important role in Chinese culture. _ 2) According to Laozis philosophy of naturalness, man should not attempt to manipulate nature. _ 3) Laozis philosophy of non-action advocates humans act following the laws of nature . _ 4) The st

31、ory of a “useless tree” mentioned in Paragraph 7 mainly tells us that some living things in nature can survive others because of their naturalness. _ 5) The philosophy of non-contention states that keeping mans desire avid can help resolve conflicts, thus avoiding wars. _ 6) Laozis philosophy of “no

32、n-contention” is comparable to the law of the jungle. Comprehension _ 7) According to Laozi, when it comes to breaking the strong, the strength of water is superior to anything else. _ 8) The basic way to prosperity is to keep superior in every way. _ 9) Laozi would rather remain a “newborn baby”, b

33、ecause it has nothing to worry about. _ 10) According to Laozi, the process of a mans growing up is that of losing his true ego. Comprehension Other name(s) Time of writing Length Significance International influence II. Careful Reading 1. Read the first two paragraphs and fill in the following tabl

34、e with the information about the book Laozi. Comprehension Classic of the Way and Virtue (Dao De Jing) Around the 6th century BC About 5,000 Chinese characters in 81 chapters A direct impact on the characteristics, trends of thought, and aesthetic sensibilities of the Chinese nation First introduced

35、 into Europe as early as the 15th century and one of the most translated philosophical works of ancient China 2. Read the passage carefully and fill in the following blanks with the missing information. 1) Laozis thought has a great influence on the , and of the Chinese people. 2) The examples of bi

36、rds, fish, clouds and flowers are used to illustrate that_ . 3) The difference between great ingenuity and ordinary ingenuity lies in the fact that _ _ _. Comprehension characteristicstrends of thought aesthetic sensibilities everything in the world has its own way of being and development the latte

37、r can be achieved through human effort, but the former is superior to the latter 4) In order to become strong, one should instead of . 6) The highest level of ones cultivation is to return to the state of a newborn baby, who is free of any knowledge, , _ . 7) People fight and deceive one another out

38、 of . 5) In Laozis opinion, is the symbol of life. 8) According to the laws of nature, people should not the poor and the weak. Comprehension start with ones own weak points oppressing the weak fragility desireimpurity or falsehood desire roboppress 1) 顺应自然。 5) 不战而屈人之兵。 2) 无为而无不为。 3) 大巧若拙。 4) 以柔弱胜刚强

39、。 Follow the way of nature. Act through non-action. Great ingenuity appears to be stupidity. Overcome the strong by being weak. Win a war without fighting it. 3. Put each of the following into English and then compare your translation with that in the passage. Comprehension 6) 兼爱。Love for all. 7) 上善

40、若水。 8) 人往高处走，水往低处流。 9) 无欲则刚。 The greatest virtue is like water. Humans tend to seek higher positions while water always flows to lower places. One is invincible because he desires nothing and contends for nothing. 10) 返璞归真。 Return to the state of a newborn baby. Comprehension 1. Translate the follow

41、ing English sayings or proverbs into Chinese and then tell how they are related to Laozis philosophy. 3) The drop of rains makes a hole in the stone, not by violence, but by the frequency of falling. 1) Nature is conquered by obeying her. 2) He that follows nature is never out of his way. 顺应自然方能征服自然

42、。顺应自然方能征服自然。 按自然规律办事的人绝不会迷失方向。按自然规律办事的人绝不会迷失方向。 滴水穿石，非蛮力所致，皆因坚持不懈。滴水穿石，非蛮力所致，皆因坚持不懈。 Communication 2. Read the following lyrics to the song “Whatever will be” from the film The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956). Communication When I was just a little girl, I asked my mother, What will I be? Will I be pretty? Will I be rich? Heres what she said to me: Que sera, sera, Whatever will be, will be; The futures not ours to see. Que sera, sera, What will be, will be.” When I grew up and fell in love, I asked my sweetheart, What lies ahead? Will