The only problem unconsciously assumed by all Chinese philosophers to be of any importance is: How shall we enjoy life, and who can best enjoy life?

中国所有的哲学家在不知不觉中认为唯一重要的问题是：我们要怎样享受人生？谁最会享受人生？

No perfectionism, no straining after the unattainable, no postulating of he unknowable; but taking poor, mortal human nature as it is, how shall we organize our life so that we can work peacefully, endure nobly and live happily?

我们不追求十全十美的理想，我们不寻找那些得不到的东西，我们不要求知道那些不得而知的东西；我们只认识不完美的、终有一死的人的本性，我们要怎样调整我们的人生，使我们可以平静地工作着，旷达地忍耐着，幸福地生活着呢?

Who are we? That is first question. It is a question almost impossible to answer. But we all agree with the busy self occupied in our daily activities is not quite the real self.

我们是谁呢？这是第一个问题。这个问题几乎是无法回答的。可是我们都承认在我们日常活动中那么忙碌的自我，并不完全是真正的自我。

We are quite sure we have lost something in the mere pursuit of living. When we watch a person running about looking for something in a field, the wise man can set a puzzle for all the spectator to solve: what has that person lost? Some one thinks it is a watch; another thinks it is a diamond brooch; and others will essay other guesses. After all the guesses have failed, the wise man who really doesnt know what the person is seeking after, tells the company:“Ill tell you. He has lost some breath.” And no one can deny that he is right.

我们确信我们在患得患失的追求中已经失掉了一些东西。当我们看见一个人在一片田野上跑来跑去寻找东西时，智者可以编出一个难题给一切旁观者去解答：那个人丢掉了什么呢？有的猜是一只表，有的猜是一枚钻石胸针，其他的人则作其他的猜测。智者委实也不知道那个人在寻找什么东西，可是当大家都猜不中的时候，他会对大家说：“我告诉你们吧， 他有点喘不过气来了。” 没有人会否认他的话是对的。

So we often forget our true self in the pursuit of living, like a bird forgetting its own danger in pursuit of a mantis which again forgets its own danger in pursuit of another.

所以我们在人生的追求中常常忘掉了真正的自我，就像庄子在一个美妙的譬喻里所讲的那样，螳螂正要捕蝉，却不知道黄雀正在后面想吃它呢。

（陈剑雯 摘）