知止不殆
Zhī zhǐ bù dài
Knowing When to Stop Avoids Danger
原文Original Text
「知止可以不殆。」
——《道德经》第32章 — Daodejing, Chapter 32

释义Annotation

「知止不殆」出自《道德经》第三十二章。知道适可而止,就不会遇到危险。道常无名,如同未经雕琢的朴木。天地间的道虽小,却无人能使之臣服。侯王若能守道,万物将自然归附。知道停止才能避免危险,这是道家对行动边界的深刻认识。

"Zhi zhi bu dai" comes from Chapter 32 of the Daodejing. Knowing when to stop avoids danger. The Tao is always nameless, like uncarved wood. Though the Tao between heaven and earth is small, none can make it submit. If rulers can hold to the Tao, all things will naturally follow. Knowing when to stop is the Taoist insight into the boundaries of action.

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.