聚会日期：12月20日，12点
探讨内容：居实自华
帛本：
上德不德，是以有德；下德不失德，是以无德。上德无为，而无以为也。上仁为之，而无以为也。上义为之，而有以为也。上礼为之而莫之应也，则攘臂而扔之。故失道。失道矣而后德，失德而后仁，失仁而后义，失义而后礼。夫礼者，忠信之薄也，而乱之首也。前识者，道之华也，而愚之首也。是以大丈夫居其厚而不居其薄。居其实而不居其华。故去彼取此 。
参照其他本（通行本 38 章）：
上 德 不德，是以有德；下德不失德，是以无德。上德无为而无以为；下德无为而有以为。上仁为之而无以为；上义为之而有以为。上礼为之而莫之应，则攘臂而扔之。故失 道 而后德，失德而后仁，失仁而后义，失义而后礼。夫礼者，忠信之薄，而乱之首。前识者，道之华，而愚之始。是以大丈夫处其厚，不居其薄；处其实，不居其华。故去彼取此。
英文对照（Muller）：
38.1 True virtue is not virtuous Therefore it has virtue. Superficial virtue never fails to be virtuous Therefore it has no virtue.
38.2 True virtue does not "act" And has no intentions. Superficial virtue "acts" And always has intentions.
38.3 True jen "acts" But has no intentions. True righteousness "acts" but has intentions. True propriety "acts" and if you don't respond They will roll up their sleeves and threaten you.
38.4 Thus, when the Tao is lost there is virtue When virtue is lost there is jen When jen is lost there is Justice And when Justice is lost there is propriety.
38.5 Now "propriety" is the external appearance of loyalty and sincerity And the beginning of disorder. Occult abilities are just flowers of the Tao And the beginning of foolishness.
38.6 Therefore the Master dwells in the substantial And not in the superficial. Rests in the fruit and not in the flower. So let go of that and grasp this.
（另一个英文版本，理解翻译者的不同解释）
Therefore they are true virtues
The so-called “virtues” in this world
Serve only self-interest
Therefore those are not true virtues
One who only serves the general interest, is truthfully adequate
One who is called charitable in this world,
Expects thankfulness in return
One who is called honest in this world,
Has a hidden agenda
Those who have been adapted to this world
Demand that others do the same
And if not they threaten you and get angry
Therefore, when people stray from the straight and simple road
Then they start to act virtuously, but they are not virtuous
They pretend to be honest, but they are not fair
They act decently, but they are not decent
Civilization is just a thin crust across unfaithfulness and dishonesty
It is also the source of disorder and chaos
A wise man never hides behind a mask
He trusts what’s inside of him, not in appearances
Therefore he rejects appearance and embraces the essence
