八、閑時吃緊 忙時悠閑

8. Keep the sense of imminence while at leisure and while busy, be at ease.

天地寂然不動，而氣機①無息稍停；日月晝夜奔馳，而貞明②萬古不易。故君子閑時要有吃緊的心思③，忙處要有悠閑的趣味。

【注 釋】

① 氣機：指天地有規律的內部運動。

② 貞明：謂日月能固守其運行規律而常明。

③ 心思：此處指精神或意識。

【今文解譯】

天地表麵上看似平靜，但其內部有規律的運動卻一刻不曾停歇；日月不分白晝黑夜地運轉著，然而它們的光芒卻萬古未變。同理，君子閑暇時精神上不能放鬆自己，忙碌時則要有一點閑情逸致。

【English Translation】

The heaven and earth seem to be motionless, but their vital energy within never stops breathing and moving. The sun and moon run in cycles day and night, emitting eternal, immutable beams. Similarly, the accomplished man should keep the sense of imminence while at leisure and maintain a leisurely mood when occupied.