大成若缺
Dà chéng ruò quē
Great Completion Seems Incomplete
原文Original Text
「大成若缺,其用不弊。」
——《道德经》第45章 — Daodejing, Chapter 45

释义Annotation

「大成若缺」出自《道德经》第四十五章。最完满的成就看起来好像有缺憾,但它的作用不会衰竭。道家认为,完美的东西看起来是不完美的——正是因为留有余地,才能生生不息。满招损,谦受益,保持「若缺」的状态,反而能持久不衰。

"Da cheng ruo que" originates from Chapter 45 of the Daodejing. The greatest completion appears incomplete, yet its function is never exhausted. Taoism teaches that what is perfect seems imperfect — precisely because room is left, it can flourish endlessly. Fullness invites loss; humility invites gain. Maintaining a state of apparent incompleteness ensures lasting vitality.

核心概念Core Concepts

此成语蕴含道家「守柔」「知足」「抱朴」等核心理念。老子通过这一比喻,阐述了顺应自然、不争不抢、返璞归真的处世智慧。在纷繁复杂的现代社会中,这些古老的智慧依然闪耀着指引的光芒。

This idiom embodies core Taoist concepts of "keeping to softness," "knowing contentment," and "embracing simplicity." Through this metaphor, Laozi expounds the wisdom of following nature, not competing, and returning to authenticity. In our complex modern world, these ancient insights continue to illuminate the path forward.