四三、高一步立身 退一步處世

43. Stand on a higher plane in pursuit and for the sake of security, learn how to compromise.

立身不高一步立，如塵裏振衣，泥中濯足，如何超達？處世不退一步處，如飛蛾投燭，羝羊觸藩①，如何安樂？

【注 釋】

① 羝羊觸藩：羝羊，公羊；觸，抵撞；藩，籬笆。指公羊抵撞籬笆時，羊角纏在了籬笆上，進退不得。

【今文解譯】

安身立命的目標定得不高，就仿佛在塵埃中抖衣，在泥水裏洗腳，如何能做到超凡脫俗？

為人處世若不能做到恭敬禮讓，就如同飛蛾撲火、公羊觸藩一般，如何能安享平安快樂？

【English Translation】

If a man cannot stand on a higher plane in his pursuit, it is similar to dusting his clothes in the dust and washing his feet in the muddy water. How can he rise above the general run of people?

If a man does not know how to make compromises in social intercourse, he would resemble a moth darting into flame or a ram rushing against fences. How can he rest his life on peace and ease?