三八、降魔先降心 馭橫先馭氣

38. To vanquish monsters, first vanquish the wicked thoughts in mind; to control absurdity, first control the internal rashness in heart.

降魔者先降自心，心伏則群魔退聽；馭橫者先馭此氣，氣平則外橫不侵。

【今文解譯】

要想降伏惡魔，首先要降伏自己內心的邪念，唯有如此，形形色色的惡魔才會乖乖地退避三舍。

要想製服亂象，首先要控製自己的焦躁情緒，控製住了自己的焦躁情緒，亂象也就於你無害了。

【English Translation】

To vanquish monsters, one should first vanquish the wicked thoughts in one’s own heart; only when the wicked thoughts are vanquished could all the monsters be obedient at one’s command.

To control external absurdity, one should first have control over the impetuosity of one’s own; only when the impetuosity of one’s own is well under control could the external absurdity not invade.