於是一位城中的長老說，請給我們談善惡。
他回答說：
我能談你們的善性，卻不能談你們的惡性。
因為，什麼是「惡」，不只是「善」被他自身的飢渴所困苦麼？
的確，在「善」飢餓的時候，他肯向黑洞中覽食，渴的時候，他也肯喝死水。
當你與自己合一的時候便是「善」。
當你不與自己合一的時候，卻也不是「惡」。
因為一個隔斷的院宇，不是賊窩，只不過是個隔斷的院宇。
一隻船失了舵，許會在礁島間無目的地飄蕩而卻不至於沉到海底。
當你努力要犧牲自己的時候便是「善」。
當你想法自利的時候，卻也不是「惡」。
因為當你設法自利的時候，你不過是土裡的樹根，在大地的胸懷中啜吸。
果實自然不能對樹根說：「你要像我，豐滿成熟，永遠貢獻出你最豐滿的一部分。」
因為，在果實，貢獻是必需的，正如吸收是樹根所必需的一樣。
當你在言談中完全清醒的時候，你是「善」的。
當你在睡夢中，舌頭無意識地擺動的時候，卻也不是「惡」。
連那失錯的言語，有時也能激動柔弱的舌頭。
當你勇敢地走向目標的時候，你是「善」的。
你顛頓而行，卻也不是「惡」。
連那些跛者，也不倒行。
但你們這些勇健而迅速的人，要警醒，不要在跛者面前顛頓，還自以為仁慈。
在無數的事上，你是「善」的；在你不善的時候，你也不是「惡」的。
你只是流連，荒亡。
可憐那麋鹿不能教給龜鱉快跑。
在你冀求你的「大我」的時候，便隱存著你的善性：
這種冀求是你們每人心中都有的。
但是對於有的人，這種冀求是奔越歸海的急湍，挾帶著山野的神秘與林木的謳歌。在其他的人，是在轉彎曲折中迷途的緩流的溪水，在歸海的路上滯留。
但是不要讓那些冀求深的人，對冀求淺的人說：「你為什麼這般遲鈍？」
因為那真善的人，不問赤裸的人：「你的衣服在那裡？」也不問那無家的人：「你的房子怎樣了？」
22
On Good & Evil
And one of the elders of the city said, "Speak to us of Good and Evil."
And he answered:
Of the good in you I can speak, but not of the evil.
For what is evil but good tortured by its own hunger and thirst?
Verily when good is hungry it seeks food even in dark caves, and when it thirsts, it drinks even of dead waters.
You are good when you are one with yourself.
Yet when you are not one with yourself you are not evil.
For a pided house is not a den of thieves; it is only a pided house.
And a ship without rudder may wander aimlessly among perilous isles yet sink not to the bottom.
You are good when you strive to give of yourself.
Yet you are not evil when you seek gain for yourself.
For when you strive for gain you are but a root that clings to the earth and sucks at her breast.
Surely the fruit cannot say to the root, "Be like me, ripe and full and ever giving of your abundance."
For to the fruit giving is a need, as receiving is a need to the root.
You are good when you are fully awake in your speech,
Yet you are not evil when you sleep while your tongue staggers without purpose.
And even stumbling speech may strengthen a weak tongue.
You are good when you walk to your goal firmly and with bold steps.
Yet you are not evil when you go thither limping.
Even those who limp go not backward.
But you who are strong and swift, see that you do not limp before the lame, deeming it kindness.
You are good in countless ways, and you are not evil when you are not good,
You are only loitering and sluggard.
Pity that the stags cannot teach swiftness to the turtles.
In your longing for your giant self lies your goodness: and that longing is in all of you.
But in some of you that longing is a torrent rushing with might to the sea, carrying the secrets of the hillsides and the songs of the forest.
And in others it is a flat stream that loses itself in angles and bends and lingers before it reaches the shore.
But let not him who longs much say to him who longs little, "Wherefore are you slow and halting?"
For the truly good ask not the naked, "Where is your garment?" nor the houseless, "What has befallen your house?"
