道德经上篇：《道经》
第七章
【原文】
天长地久。天地所以能长且久者，以其不自生①，故能长生。是以圣人后其身而身先，外其身而身存。非以其无私邪②！故能成其私③。
【注释】
①以：因为。
②邪：同“耶”，疑问语气词。
③私：在这里指个人利益。
【译文】
天地永远都存在。天地所以能长久，是因为它不是为了自己而生存，所以才永远都存在。因此，有道的人凡事都让别人占先，反而能赢得爱戴；凡事把自身的安危置之度外，生命反而能得以保全。这不正是因为他不自私，反而能够成就自身吗？
English Translation
Version 1：by Daniel Baida Su and Shangyu Chen
Heaven and earth endure.
They endure because they are not selfish or self-preserving;
Therefore, they live long.
Likewise, the Holy One thinks of himself last and comes first;
He disregards himself and finds himself enduring.
Is not all of this because he is fulfilled in his selflessness?
They endure because they are not selfish or self-preserving;
Therefore, they live long.
Likewise, the Holy One thinks of himself last and comes first;
He disregards himself and finds himself enduring.
Is not all of this because he is fulfilled in his selflessness?
Version 2：by John C. H. Wu
