四九、多心為禍 少事為福

49. It is a misfortune to be sunk in excessive exertions, but a fortune to have few cares.

福莫福於少事，禍莫禍於多心①。唯苦事者，方知少事之為福；唯平心者，始知多心之為禍。

【注 釋】

① 多心：此處指多餘的操勞，與前半句的“少事”形成對照。

【今文解譯】

人生最大的幸福是無事打擾，最大的不幸是牽腸掛肚。隻有每天苦於奔命的人，才知道無事打擾是一種清福；隻有神閑氣定的人，才知道整天牽腸掛肚實在是一種煎熬。

【English Translation】

Of man’s lot, the greatest fortune is to have few cares, and the greatest misfortune is to be sunk in excessive exertions. Only the person who has been busy all the time realizes that it is a joy to have few cares. And only the person who is in a tranquil state realizes that it is a suffering to go with excessive exertions.