黄帝内经英语阴阳应象大论节选5

Hence it is said:

as for heaven and earth,

they are the above and the below of the myriad beings,

as for yin and yang,

they are the male-female [couple] of blood and qi.

as for left and right,

they are the paths of yin and yang.

as for water and fire,

they are the signs of yin and yang.

as for yin and yang,

they are the beginning of the myriad beings.阴阳者，万物之使能也

Hence it is said:

The yin is inside, it is the guardian of the yang;

the yang is outside, it is employed by the yin.”

[Huang] Di:

“In what way can yin and yang be considered as laws?”

Qi Bo:

“When yang dominates, the body is hot and the interstice structures close.

rough panting makes one bend down and up.

no sweat flows and one is hot.

The teeth are dry and [patients] experience vexation and grievance.

If there is [a feeling of] fullness in the abdomen [this indicates imminent]

death.

It can be endured in winter; it cannot be endured in summer.

When yin dominates, the body is cold and sweat flows.

The body is permanently cool.

one shivers frequently and feels cold.

In case of cold, receding [qi] results. 寒则厥    

When receding [qi] occurs, there is [a feeling of] fullness in the abdomen and

[this indicates imminent] death.

This can be endured in summer; it cannot be endured in winter.

These are the changes in the alternating domination of yin and yang, [and their associated] disease manifestations.”此阴阳更胜之变，病之形能也

[Huang] Di:

“How are these two harmonized?”

Qi Bo:

“If one knows of the seven injuries and eight benefits,七损八益

then the two can be harmonized.

If one does not know to employ these [principles],

then the term of weakening will come early.

at the age of forty,

the yin qi has decreased to half of its own [former amount];

one ‘s daily activities weaken.

at the age of fifty,

the body feels heavy;

the ears and the eyes are no longer clear.

at the age of sixty,

the yin [reaches a state of] limpness; 阴痿

the qi is severely weakened and the nine orifices are no [longer] freely passable. 气大衰 九窍不利

Below is depletion; above is repletion.下虚上实

snivel and tears both flow.涕泣俱出矣

Hence it is said:

If one knows these [principles], then one remains strong;

if one does not know these [principles], then one turns old.

Hence,

the origin is identical,

but the names are different.

Those who know, they investigate the identical;          
those who are ignorant, they investigate the different.          
The ignorant have not enough;          
those who know, they have surplus.          
If one has surplus,          
then ears and eyes are clear;          
the body is light and the limbs are strong.          
Those who are old become strong again;          
those who are strong can be treated [with] even better [results].          
         
Hence,          
the sages have acted on the basis of ‘no intervention.’          
They have enjoyed their ability to be peaceful and tranquil.          
They have followed their desires and their mind was pleased, maintaining          
absolute emptiness.    

Hence, [the fact that]          
their lifespan has no limit,          
and will end only with heaven and earth,          
this is [a result of the way] how the sages ordered their body.

故曰：天地者，萬物之上下也；陰陽者，血氣之男女也；左右者，陰陽之道路也；水火者，陰陽之徵兆也；陰陽者，萬物之能始也。故曰：陰在內，陽之守也；陽在外；陰之使也。帝曰：法陰陽柰何。歧伯曰：陽勝則身熱，腠理閉，喘麤為之俛仰，汗不出而熱，齒乾以煩冤腹滿，死，能冬不能夏。陰勝則身寒汗出，身常清，數慄而寒，寒則厥，厥則腹滿，死，能夏不能冬。此陰陽更勝之變，病之形能也。帝曰：調此二者，柰何。歧伯曰：能知七損八益，則二者可調，不知用此，則早衰之節也。年四十，而陰氣自半也，起居衰矣。年五十，體重，耳目不聰明矣。年六十，陰痿，氣大衰，九竅不利，下虛上實，涕泣俱出矣。故曰：知之則強，不知則老，故同出而名異耳。智者察同，愚者察異，愚者不足，智者有餘，有餘則耳目聰明，身體輕強，老者復壯，壯者益治。是以聖人為無為之事，樂恬憺之能，從欲快志於虛无之守，故壽命无窮，與天地終，此聖人之治身也。