38. 降魔先降心 驭横先驭气
38. To vanquish monsters, first vanquish the wicked thoughts in mind; to control absurdity, first control the internal rashness in heart.

降魔者先降自心，心伏则群魔退听；驭横者先驭此气，气平则外横不侵。

【今文解译】

要想降伏恶魔，首先要降伏自己内心的邪念，唯有如此，形形色色的恶魔才会乖乖地退避三舍。

要想制服乱象，首先要控制自己的焦躁情绪，控制住了自己的焦躁情绪，乱象也就于你无害了。

【English Translation】

To vanquish monsters, one should first vanquish the wicked thoughts in one’s own heart; only when the wicked thoughts are vanquished could all the monsters be obedient at one’s command.

To control external absurdity, one should first have control over the impetuosity of one’s own; only when the impetuosity of one’s own is well under control could the external absurdity not invade. vDbVl4E6bk8q5cjc7y8X+OnI/c3iSLlmOR9WcYux7EmynHTVxBe8J4MaGuvfbT18