恒常的法則。古人認(rèn)為，天地萬物的運(yùn)行、人倫生活的運(yùn)轉(zhuǎn)都遵循著某些恒常不變的法則。人們將這樣的法則稱為“常”，有時也稱“常道”或“常理”。“?！迸c“變”相對，但又密切相關(guān)?！俺！弊鳛槭挛镒裱姆▌t是恒常不變的，但這種恒常的法則又是在事物紛繁的變化中呈現(xiàn)出來的。人們正是在事物的不斷變化中，去探尋、把握恒常的法則。

It refers to the constant nature or regular pattern of natural laws. The ancient Chinese believed that phenomena in the universe and life in human society are governed by constant laws in their movement. People characterize these laws as being "constant" and sometimes call them "constant ways" or "constant principles." "Constant" is in contrast to "change," but it is also closely connected with "change." Given that these are the natural laws or patterns that phenomena follow, they are stable and unchangeable. But these constant natural laws are manifested through myriad changing things. It is by learning about continuous changes that people seek to identify and comprehend underlying constant laws or principles.

引例 Citations：

◎天行有常，不為堯存，不為桀亡。（《荀子·天論》）

天的運(yùn)行有其常道，不因?yàn)閳蛟谖欢嬖冢灰驗(yàn)殍钤谖欢А?/p>

Nature's ways are constant. They did not exist because Yao was on the throne or disappear because Jie was the ruler. (Xunzi)

◎夫物蕓蕓，各復(fù)歸其根。歸根曰靜，是謂復(fù)命。復(fù)命曰常，知常曰明。（《老子·十六章》）

萬物紛紜，各自回歸其根本?；貧w根本稱為靜，達(dá)到靜就是回復(fù)到生命的本原狀態(tài)。回復(fù)本原狀態(tài)稱為常，知曉這一恒常的法則稱為明。

Things in nature are numerous and diverse and will eventually return to their roots. Returning to one's root is reaching tranquility. To reach tranquility is to go back to the original state of life. Going back to the original state of life is returning to the constant. Knowing what is constant is called wisdom. (Laozi)

推薦：教育部 國家語委

供稿：北京外國語大學(xué) 外語教學(xué)與研究出版社

責(zé)任編輯：錢耐安