《菜根谭》英译（当方则方、当圆则圆）

处治世宜方，处乱世宜圆，处叔季之世当方圆并用；待善人宜宽，待恶人宜严，待庸众之人当宽严互存。

In an era of peace, one needs to be “square”, which means being strict and upright. In an era of turmoil, one needs to be “rounded”, which means being flexible and tactful. When the state is rapidly declining, one needs to be both “square” and “round”. In dealing with good people, one should be tolerant; in dealing with bad people, one should be strict. In dealing with people in general, one needs to be both tolerant and strict.

（保罗·怀特 译）

In times of peace and order one should be upright; at turbulent days be slick; and in declining times employ with both uprightness and slickness. In dealing with good people one should be generous; in dealing with bad people be severe; and in dealing with mediocre people employ with both generosity and severity. 

（周文标 译）