中庸第十章 Doctrine of the Mean Chapter Ten

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原文：
子路问强。
子曰：“南方之强与，北方之强与，抑而强与？
宽柔以教，不报无道，南方之强也。君子居之。
衽金革，死而不厌，北方之强也。而强者居之。
故君子和而不流，强哉矫。中立而不倚，强哉矫。国有道，不变塞焉，强哉矫。国无道，至死不变，强哉矫。”

白话文：
子路问什么是真正的“强”。​​
​​孔子说​​：“你问的是南方的强？北方的强？还是你应当追求的强呢？
以宽厚柔和的方式教化他人，即使遭受无礼对待也不报复，这是南方的强，君子以此为准则。
以兵器甲胄为卧席，战死沙场也不后悔，这是北方的强，勇武之人以此为准则。
因此，君子应当：
​​和顺而不随波逐流​​，这才是真正的强！
​​恪守中道而不偏倚​​，这才是真正的强！
​​国家政治清明时，不改变困顿时坚守的志向​​，这才是真正的强！
​​国家政治黑暗时，至死不改变原则​​，这才是真正的强！”

英文：
Zilu asked about true strength.​​
​​Confucius replied​​: "Do you mean the strength of the southern regions, the northern regions, or the strength one ought to cultivate?
To educate others with gentleness and tolerance, and not retaliate against injustice—this is the strength of the South, which a noble person embodies.
To sleep on weapons and armor, facing death without regret—this is the strength of the North, which the merely brave pursue.
Thus, the true strength of a noble person lies in:
​​Harmony without conformity​​—this is genuine strength!
​​Upholding the Doctrine of the Mean without bias​​—this is genuine strength!
​​Remaining steadfast in adversity even when the state is well-governed​​—this is genuine strength!
​​Never compromising principles even unto death when the state is chaotic​​—this is genuine strength!"