Affiliation:
1. School of Philosophy, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
Abstract
This article investigates the translation of De 德 in the English translation of the Daodejing, compares and analyzes several representative translations, and tries to present the complexity and richness of the meaning of De in the thought of the Daodejing. The article is divided into three parts. First, it briefly traces the concept of De back to the Shang 商 and Zhou 周 periods, thus laying the foundation for subsequent study. Second, taking Chapter 51 of the Daodejing as an example, it explores the meaning of “virtue”, which is the most important and common translation of De, in the context of the Daodejing and examines related terms such as “potency” and “inner power”. Finally, two representative translations of “Xuan De” 玄德 are examined and discussed.
Funder
Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
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