40. 欲路勿染 理路勿退
40. Do not act willfully in pursuing material gains, nor shrink back in seeking the truth.

欲路上事 ^① ，毋乐其便而姑为染指，一染指便深入万仞；理路上事 ^② ，毋惮其难而稍为退步，一退步便远隔千山。

【中文注释】

① 欲路上事：物质上的追求。

② 理路上事：对真理的探索。

【今文解译】

追求物质利益时，切不可为图一时之便而姑妄为之，一旦放纵涉事就会跌入万丈深渊。

在探索真理的过程中，切不可因为有畏难情绪而退缩，一旦退缩就会和真理相去千山万水。

【English Translation】

When you pursue material gains, do not act willfully for the love of convenience. If you do, you will surely fall into an abyss of one hundred thousand feet.

When you seek the truth, do not flinch for fear of difficulties. If you do, you will inevitably be separated from the truth by a thousand mountains. PTDOmh5ZQIpXi8kIavYUjMXr7KKPXs+JWEOXeYaLVX+Qye3/AzPePKXWOqRvz3BC