《菜根谭》英译（兢业的心思、潇洒的趣味）

学者有段兢业的心思，又要有段潇洒的趣味。若一味敛束清苦，是有秋杀无春生，何以发育万物？

Although a scholar should be circumspect in his behaviour, he should also have a lively and untrammeled spirit. What will happen if he exercises self-restraint to such an extent as to allow himself nothing other than a Spartan living? It will be just like having a world always in the grip of autumn’s decay and bereft of spring’s vigour. How then can the universe flourish?

（保罗·怀特 译）

A scholar should have both assiduous thoughts in learning and unrestrained interest for life. If he restrains himself blindly by merely living under the plain and harsh circumstances, both his thoughts and his interest would seem wrecked by the decay of autumn and bereft of the vigor of spring. How can he be expected to nourish the world?

（周文标 译）