俭故能广
Jiǎn gù néng guǎng
Frugality Enables Breadth
原文Original Text
「我有三宝,持而保之:一曰慈,二曰俭,三曰不敢为天下先。慈故能勇,俭故能广,不敢为天下先,故能成器长。」
——《道德经》第67章 — Daodejing, Chapter 67

释义Annotation

「俭故能广」出自《道德经》第六十七章。老子自称有三件宝贝,始终保持着:第一是慈爱,第二是节俭,第三是不敢走在天下人的前面。因为节俭,所以能够宽广——节俭不是吝啬,而是一种战略性地保存和积累资源的智慧。

老子在这里提出了一个看似矛盾但实则深刻的道理:节俭反而能带来更大的发展空间。因为节俭,所以有余力;有余力,所以能做更多的事。那些挥霍无度的人,看似阔绰,实则已经透支了未来的发展潜力。

「俭故能广」与「慈故能勇」「不敢为天下先故能成器长」一起,构成了老子的「三宝」哲学。这三者有一个共同的特点:它们都是以退为进、以柔克刚的策略。

"Jian gu neng guang" comes from Chapter 67. Laozi claims three treasures he always持有: first, compassion; second, frugality; third, not daring to be first in the world. Because of frugality, one can be broad — frugality is not stinginess, but strategic保存 and accumulating resources wisdom.

Laozi proposes a看似矛盾 but profound truth: frugality反而 brings greater development space. Because frugality, there is余力; because余力, one can do more. Those who挥霍无度看似阔绰,实则 have透支 future development potential.

"Jian gu neng guang", together with "ci gu neng yong" and "不敢为天下先故能成器长", forms Laozi's "three treasures" philosophy. All three share a common特点: they are all retreat-to-advance, softness-overcomes-hardness strategies.

当代启示Modern Application

在个人理财和企业经营中,「俭故能广」的原则始终有效。那些量入为出的个人,往往比高消费的人拥有更多的财务自由和选择空间。在企业中,保持充足的现金储备——如伯克希尔·哈撒韦长期持有大量现金——使企业能在危机中逆势扩张。节俭不是贫穷的表现,而是富有的准备。

In personal finance and enterprise management, "jian gu neng guang" principles remain有效. Those living within their means往往比高消费 have more financial freedom and choice. In business, maintaining充足 cash reserves — like Berkshire Hathaway's长期 large cash holdings — enables逆势 expansion during crises. Frugality is not poverty's表现, but wealth's preparation.