整理/夏瑾 制图/张玉佳

　　大国者下流

　　大国要把自己放在低下的位置上，就像大江大河能够容纳百川一样。这是中国古代哲学家老子提出的处理国与国关系的重要思想，其核心理念在于“谦下”（屈己待人）之德。在老子看来，国与国之间能否和平相处，关键在于大国能否做到不以大欺小，不恃强凌弱。

　　A Great State Should Assume a Low Posture

　　A great state should assume a low posture, just as great rivers absorb the waters from countless tributaries. This was an important concept on handling relations between states, propounded by the ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi. Its core idea is that of qianxia, the virtue of lowering oneself in dealing with others. In Laozi's view, the key to whether or not states can coexist peacefully lies in whether or not great ones can refrain from bullying small and weak ones.

　　引例

　　大国者下流，天下之交，天下之牝。牝常以静胜牡，以静为下。故大国以下小国，则取小国；小国以下大国，则取大国。故或下以取，或下而取。（《老子·六十一章》）（大国应该像江河的下游，是天下交汇归附之处，也是天下柔静之处。柔静常常能够战胜刚强，就是因为它能安居于下位，以静制动。大国以谦下的态度对待小国，就能取得小国的信赖与归附；小国以谦下的态度对待大国，就能得到大国的接纳和包容。无论是大国取得小国的归附，还是小国取得大国的庇护，靠的都是谦下。）

　　A great state maintains a low posture. A low position is where everything in the world meets, where the world's feminine and gentle elements gather. The feminine and gentle elements often triumph over the masculine and powerful through stillness, and it is stillness which keeps it in the lower position. Thus when a great state treats a small state with modesty, it can win the trust and following of the latter. When a smaller state treats a greater one humbly, it can win its acceptance and tolerance. Hence by behaving modestly, great states win the trust and following of small ones, while small states win acceptance and tolerance from great ones. Great states only wish to gather smaller ones around themselves and support them; small states only wish to attach themselves to and serve great ones. Hence states both great and small can achieve their goals, and the great ones in particular should maintain a low stance. (Laozi)