CHAPTER IV　THE ALL
第四章 全能者

"Under, and back of, the Universe of Time, Space and Change,
is ever to be found The Substantial Reality--the Fundamental
Truth."--The Kybalion.
在宇宙的时间、空间和变化之下及之后，将永远发现真身——基本的真理。
——Kybalion

"Substance" means: "that which underlies all outward manifestations; the essence; the essential reality; the thing in itself," etc.
实质意指：隐藏于一切外在的表象之下的；本质；不可或缺的真实性；事物本身，等等。
固有的意指：确实存在的；成为不可缺少的元素；真实的，等等。

"Substantial" means: "actually existing; being the essential element; being real," etc. "Reality" means: "the state of being real; true, enduring; valid; fixed; permanent; actual," etc.
实在意指：真实的存在状态；真切的，持久的；站得住脚的；固定的；坚固的；确实的，等等。

Under and behind all outward appearances or manifestations, there must always be a Substantial Reality.
This is the Law.
在一切表相或显化之下和之后，一定总是有着真身,这就是法则。
Man considering the Universe, of which he is a unit, sees nothing but change in matter, forces, and mental states. He sees that nothing really IS, but that everything is BECOMING and CHANGING.
人类细细观察着宇宙，结果除了看到物质、力量和精神状态之中的变化，什么也没有看到。他看到没有什么事物是其此刻不变，而是每一种事物都在持续生成和变化。

Nothing stands still-everything is being born, growing, dying-the very instant a thing reaches its height, it begins to decline--the law of rhythm is in constant operation--there is no reality, enduring quality, fixity, or substantiality in anything-- nothing is permanent but Change.
没有什么事物是静止不动的——每一种事物都历经出生、成长和死亡——一种事物恰恰在达到巅峰的时刻开始走向衰退——节律法则亘古不变地在运行着——在任何事物中都没有真实的确定性、持久不变的品质、稳定性和固有特征——除了变化，没有什么是固定恒久的。

He sees all things evolving from other things, and resolving into other things
--constant action and reaction; inflow and outflow; building up and tearing down; creation and destruction; birth, growth and death.
Nothing endures but Change.
他看到所有事物都从其他事物演变而来，然后又演变成其他事物
——一种永久不变的作用和反作用；流进和流出；建造和摧毁；创生和毁灭；出生、成长和死亡。
除了变化，没有什么是恒久的。

And if he be a thinking man, he realizes that all of these changing things must be but outward appearances or manifestations of some Underlying Power--some Substantial Reality.
如果他是一个善于思考的人，他会认识到这些变化的事物一定只是一些真身的(一些隐藏的力量)的表相或显化。

All thinkers, in all lands and in all times, have assumed the necessity for postulating the existence of this Substantial Reality. All philosophies worthy of the name have been based upon this thought.
所有各个地方和各个时代的思想家，都已经假定把这些真身的存在视为必要。所有著名的哲学都已经建立在这个思想之上。

Men have given to this Substantial Reality many names-some have called it by the term of Deity (under many titles). Others have called it "The Infinite and Eternal Energy" others have tried to call it "Matter"--but all have acknowledged its existence. It is self-evident it needs no argument.
人们给这个真身取了许多名字——一些人称它为神（在各种名义下）；其他人称它为无限和永恒的能量；还有人试图称它为物质——但所有人都承认它的存在。它自我证明——它无需争辩。

In these lessons we have followed the example of some of the world's greatest thinkers, both ancient and modern--the Hermetic. Masters--and have called this Underlying Power--this Substantial Reality--by the Hermetic name of "THE ALL," which term we consider the most comprehensive of the many terms applied by Man to THAT which transcends names and terms.
在这些课程里，我们已经跟随了一些世界最伟大的思想家的榜样，既有古代的，也有现代的——赫尔墨斯大师们——他们已经把这种隐藏的力量——这种真身称为全能者，我们认为这个词在许多被人类用来称呼那个超越名称和词语的固有本源的词中是最全面的。

We accept and teach the view of the great Hermetic thinkers of all times, as well as of those Illumined souls who have reached higher planes of being, both of whom assert that the inner nature of THE ALL is UNKNOWABLE.
我们接受和教导各个时代伟大的赫尔墨斯思想家们的观点，还有那些已经达到更高层级的人的先觉者（光明天使）的灵魂，他们都宣称全能者的内在本质是不可知的。

This must be so, for naught by THE ALL itself can comprehend its own nature and being.
这一定是如此，因为归根到底只有全能者自己理解它自己的本质和存在。

The Hermetists believe and teach that THE ALL, "in itself," is and must ever be UNKNOWABLE.
赫尔墨斯主义者相信且教导：全能者，它自身是而且永远是不可知的。

They regard all the theories, guesses and speculations of the theologians and metaphysicians regarding the inner nature of THE ALL, as but the childish efforts of mortal minds to grasp the secret of the Infinite.
他们认为所有神学家和玄学家关于全能者的内在本质的理论、猜想和推测，都只是妄想领会无限秘密的极端思想所做的孩童般天真的努力。

Such efforts have always failed and will always fail, from the very nature of the task.
这样的努力一直都以失败告终，而且永远以失败告终，这是由于这项任务的性质决定的。

One pursuing such inquiries travels around and around in the labyrinth of thought, until he is lost to all sane reasoning, action or conduct, and is utterly unfitted for the work of life.
也就是说，一个人在思想迷宫中一遍又一遍地追寻这样的探索之旅，直到他丧失神志清醒的动机、行为或指引，并且完全不能适应他日常生活中的工作为止。

He is like the squirrel which frantically runs around and around the circling treadmill wheel of his cage, traveling ever and yet reaching nowhere--at the end a prisoner still, and standing just where he started.
他像在牢笼里绕着脚踏车圆形的轮子一遍又一遍疯狂地奔跑的松鼠，永远不停地快速奔跑，却什么地方也没有到达——最后仍然是一个囚徒，一直在开始的地方原地踏步。

And still more presumptuous are those who attempt to ascribe to THE ALL the personality, qualities, properties, characteristics and attributes of themselves, ascribing to THE ALL the human emotions, feelings, and characteristics, even down to the pettiest qualities of mankind, such as jealousy, susceptibility to flattery and praise, desire for offerings and worship, and all the other survivals from the days of the childhood of the race. Such ideas are not worthy of grown men and women, and are rapidly being discarded.
还有更加傲慢的是这样的人，他们试图把他们自身的个性、品质、财富、性格和特征归因于全能者，把人类的情绪、感觉和气质，甚至最琐碎的情感，如嫉妒、多情敏感到奉承和赞扬，渴望奉献和崇拜，以及其他从孩童赛跑时代起遗留下来的一切习惯都归因于全能者。这样的观念不应该是成熟的男人和女人所具有的，也将是迅速被抛弃的。

(At this point, it may be proper for me to state that we make a distinction between Religion and Theology--between Philosophy and Metaphysics.
在这一点上，或许对我来说，正确的说法是，我们在宗教和神学之间——在哲学和形而上学之间作个区别。

Religion, to us, means that intuitional realization of the existence of THE ALL, and one's relationship to it;
对我们来说，宗教是指对全能者存在的直觉认知，以及人与全能者的关系；

while Theology means the attempts of men to ascribe personality, qualities, and characteristics to it; their theories regarding its affairs, will, desires, plans, and designs, and their assumption of the office of '' middle-men'' between THE ALL and the people.
而神学是指人们把个性、品质和性格归因于全能者的企图；他们的理论是关于全能者的事务、意志、渴望、计划和目的；他们的职责是担任全能者与人们之间的中间人。

Philosophy, to us, means the inquiry after knowledge of things knowable and thinkable; while Metaphysics means the attempt to carry the inquiry over and beyond the boundaries and into regions unknowable and unthinkable, and with the same tendency as that of Theology.
哲学，对于我们，是指有关可知和可想象得到的事物之知识的探索；而形而上学是指试图超越边界而进入不可知和不可想象的领域所进行的探索，它与神学的趋向是相同的。

And consequently, both Religion and Philosophy mean to us things having roots in Reality,
因此，相应地，宗教和哲学对于我们来说都是指在现实中有根基的事物，

while Theology and Metaphysics seem like broken reeds, rooted in the quicksands of ignorance, and affording naught but the most insecure support for the mind or soul of Man. we do not insist upon our students accepting these definitions
而神学和形而上学仿佛是断根的芦苇，立根于无知的流沙之上，除了对人的心理和灵魂提供最不可靠的支持外，什么也没有。我们不坚持让我们的学生接受这些释义——
--we mention them merely to show our position. At any rate, you shall hear very little about Theology and Metaphysics in these lessons.)
我们提及它们只是表明我们的态度。无论如何，在这些课程中你将很少听到关于神学和形而上学的东西。

But while the essential nature of THE ALL is Unknowable, there are certain truths connected with its existence which the human mind finds itself compelled to accept.
然而，尽管全能者的根本属性不可知，可还是有确定的事实与它的存在相关联，以致人类思想上发现不得不接受它。

And an examination of these reports form a proper subject of inquiry, particularly as they agree with the reports of the Illumined on higher planes. And to this inquiry we now invite you.
人们在验证对这些事实的论述之中，形成了一个适当的探索课题，尤其是他们认同那些在更高层面的先觉者（光明天使）的报告。我们现在就要邀请你进行这样的探索。

"THAT which is the Fundamental Truth--the Substantial Reality--is beyond true naming, but the Wise Men callit THE ALL."--The Kybalion.
那是基本的真理——真身——无法真正给它命名，但聪明人称其为全能者。
——Kybalion

"In its Essence, THE ALL is UNKNOWABLE."--The Kybalion.
在本质上，全能者是不可知的。 ——Kybalion

"But, the report of Reason must be hospitably received,
and treated with respect."--The Kybalion.
但，合理的报告一定得到友好的接受，并受到虔诚的礼遇。 ——Kybalion