以道为师,修身成圣——管窥老子的修身思想

Learn from Tao to Become Sage:Understanding of Lao Zi's Thought of Cultivating One's Moral Character

圣人是老子推崇的理想人格,也是个人修养的最高境界。要修身成圣就必须以道为师,以道为师就是取法道之德性。老子指明了天地之无为而化生万物、江海之谦下和水的善利万物而不争等特性类似道之德性,并将以上几种道之德性归结为"慈"、"俭"、"不敢为天下先"。

Lao Zi has the great esteem for sage which was regarded as the highest state of individual accomplishment. Individual who wants to cultivate his moral character to become sage must learn from Tao. Learning from Tao means following the morals of Tao. Lao Zi pointed out some morals such as heaven and earth have nothing to do but all things are created, lake and sea own the virtue of modesty and water benefits all things but claim no credit for its service. Lao Zi summarized the methods of cultivating one＇ s character mentioned above as ＂kindness＂, ＂thrift＂ and ＂ modesty＂.