第3章 栖守道德 毋阿权贵

Rather stick to moral integrity than be attached to the powerful and influential.

栖守道德者，寂寞一时；依阿[1]权势者，凄凉万古。达人观物外之物[2]，思身后之身[3]；宁受一时之寂寞，毋取万古之凄凉。

中文注释

[1]依阿：依附讨好。

[2]物外之物：物质之外的东西。此处指精神财富或精神价值。

[3]身后之身：人死后留在世上的名声。

今文解译

谨守道德的人，也许会寂寞一时；而依附权贵的人，则必然会凄凉一辈子。豁达的人看重的是精神层面的东西以及自己身后的名声。所以，他们宁肯忍受寂寞于一时，也不愿意凄凉孤寂一辈子。

EngIish TransIation

Those who stick to their moral integrity might be lonesome for a time.Whereas,those who cling to the powerful and influential will surely become desolate for good and all.To a well-cultivated person,the worthiest are the gains beyond material and the name after him.It is because of this that he had rather endure momentary loneliness than receive endless desolation.