《黄帝内经·素问·上古天真论篇第一》及英译

杏林译语

《黄帝内经·素问·上古天真论篇第一》

《黄帝内经·素问·上古天真论篇第一》

原文+权威英文逐段对照（采用李照国《大中华文库》标准译本，中医术语严谨通用）

第一段

原文：昔在黄帝，生而神灵，弱而能言，幼而徇齐，长而敦敏，成而登天。

英文：In ancient times, there was the Yellow Emperor. He was born with divine wisdom. He could speak in his early childhood, showed quick perception in his youth, became sincere and intelligent in his adulthood, and ascended to the heavenly realm after he matured.

第二段

原文：乃问于天师曰：余闻上古之人，春秋皆度百岁，而动作不衰；今时之人，年半百而动作皆衰者，时世异耶？人将失之耶？

英文：He asked his Heavenly Master: “I have heard that people in high antiquity all lived to over one hundred years old without physical decline. But nowadays, people begin to decline at fifty. Is it due to the change of times, or have people lost the way of health preservation?”

第三段

原文：岐伯对曰：上古之人，其知道者，法于阴阳，和于术数，食饮有节，起居有常，不妄作劳，故能形与神俱，而尽终其天年，度百岁乃去。

英文：Qi Bo replied: “In high antiquity, those who knew the Dao followed the law of Yin‑Yang, harmonized with the techniques of health cultivation, kept regular diet and daily routine, and avoided excessive fatigue. Thus their body and spirit were unified, enabling them to live out their natural lifespan and pass away at over one hundred.”

第四段

原文：今时之人不然也，以酒为浆，以妄为常，醉以入房，以欲竭其精，以耗散其真，不知持满，不时御神，务快其心，逆于生乐，起居无节，故半百而衰也。

英文：“People today do not do so. They treat wine as plain water, take recklessness as normal, indulge in sexual activity while drunk, exhaust their essence by desires, dissipate their primordial energy, fail to conserve vitality, neglect spiritual regulation, seek only temporary pleasure, violate the joy of life, and have irregular daily habits. Hence they decline by fifty.”

第五段

原文：夫上古圣人之教下也，皆谓之虚邪贼风，避之有时，恬惔虚无，真气从之，精神内守，病安从来。

英文：“The ancient sages taught people to avoid pathogenic winds and evils at proper times. By maintaining peace of mind and emptiness of desires, primordial energy flows smoothly, and spirit is conserved within. How can diseases arise then?”

第六段

原文：是以志闲而少欲，心安而不惧，形劳而不倦，气从以顺，各从其欲，皆得所愿。

英文：“Therefore, people have peaceful wills and few desires, calm hearts free from fear, and do not feel weary even with physical labor. Their Qi circulates harmoniously, satisfying their reasonable wishes.”

第七段

原文：故美其食，任其服，乐其俗，高下不相慕，其民故曰朴。

英文：“They enjoy simple food, wear comfortable clothes, abide by local customs, and do not envy high status or power. Thus the people are plain and sincere.”

第八段

原文：是以嗜欲不能劳其目，淫邪不能惑其心，愚智贤不肖，不惧于物，故合于道。所以能年皆度百岁，而动作不衰者，以其德全不危也。

英文：“Excessive desires cannot strain their eyes, and immoral temptations cannot confuse their minds. Whether foolish or wise, virtuous or mediocre, they remain undisturbed by external things, thus conforming to the Dao. They can live to over one hundred without decline because their inner virtue is complete and free from harm.”

第九段

原文：帝曰：人年老而无子者，材力尽邪？将天数然也？

英文：The Yellow Emperor asked: “Why do the elderly lose fertility? Is it because their physical strength is exhausted, or is it the natural course of life?”

第十段

原文：岐伯曰：女子七岁，肾气盛，齿更发长。二七，而天癸至，任脉通，太冲脉盛，月事以时下，故有子。三七，肾气平均，故真牙生而长极。四七，筋骨坚，发长极，身体盛壮。五七，阳明脉衰，面始焦，发始堕。六七，三阳脉衰于上，面皆焦，发始白。七七，任脉虚，太冲脉衰少，天癸竭，地道不通，故形坏而无子也。

英文：Qi Bo answered: “At seven, a girl’s kidney‑Qi flourishes, teeth renew and hair grows. At fourteen, Tian‑Kui arrives, the Conception Vessel unblocks, the Thoroughfare Vessel flourishes, menstruation begins, and fertility emerges. At twenty‑one, kidney‑Qi is balanced, wisdom teeth grow, and physical growth peaks. At twenty‑eight, bones and tendons strengthen, hair reaches full length, and the body is robust. At thirty‑five, Yang‑Ming Vessels decline, the face withers, and hair begins to fall. At forty‑two, the three Yang Vessels decline in the upper body, the face shrivels, and hair turns white. At forty‑nine, the Conception Vessel weakens, the Thoroughfare Vessel declines, Tian‑Kui dries up, menstruation ceases, the body degenerates, and fertility is lost.”

第十一段

原文：丈夫八岁，肾气实，发长齿更。二八，肾气盛，天癸至，精气溢泻，阴阳和，故能有子。三八，肾气平均，筋骨劲强，故真牙生而长极。四八，筋骨隆盛，肌肉满壮。五八，肾气衰，发堕齿槁。六八，阳气衰竭于上，面焦，发鬓颁白。七八，肝气衰，筋不能动。八八，天癸竭，精少，肾脏衰，形体皆极，则齿发去。

英文：“For boys: At eight, kidney‑Qi solidifies, hair grows and teeth renew. At sixteen, kidney‑Qi flourishes, Tian‑Kui arrives, essence discharges, and fertility emerges through Yin‑Yang harmony. At twenty‑four, kidney‑Qi is balanced, bones and tendons strengthen, wisdom teeth grow, and growth peaks. At thirty‑two, bones and tendons are robust, and muscles are full and strong. At forty, kidney‑Qi declines, hair falls, and teeth wither. At forty‑eight, Yang‑Qi declines in the upper body, the face withers, and sideburns turn grey. At fifty‑six, liver‑Qi weakens, and tendons lose mobility. At sixty‑four, Tian‑Kui dries up, essence diminishes, kidney‑Qi declines, the body is exhausted, and teeth and hair fall out.”

第十二段

原文：肾者主水，受五脏六腑之精而藏之，故五脏盛，乃能泻。今五脏皆衰，筋骨解堕，天癸尽矣，故发鬓白，身体重，行步不正，而无子耳。

英文：“The kidney governs water and stores essence from all zang‑fu organs. Only when the five zang organs are vigorous can essence be discharged. When the five zang organs decline, bones and tendons weaken, Tian‑Kui is exhausted, hence grey sideburns, heavy body, unsteady gait, and loss of fertility.”

第十三段

原文：帝曰：有其年已老，而有子者，何也？

英文：The Yellow Emperor asked: “Why do some elderly people still retain fertility?”

第十四段

原文：岐伯曰：此其天寿过度，气脉常通，而肾气有余也。此虽有子，男不过尽八八，女不过尽七七，而天地之精气皆竭矣。

英文：Qi Bo replied: “They have an inborn long lifespan, unobstructed Qi vessels, and surplus kidney‑Qi. Though they may have children, men lose fertility by sixty‑four and women by forty‑nine, as the innate essence is exhausted.”

第十五段

原文：帝曰：夫道者年皆百数，能有子乎？

英文：The Yellow Emperor asked: “Can those who cultivate the Dao still have children at one hundred?”

第十六段

原文：岐伯曰：夫道者，能却老而全形，身年虽寿，能生子也。

英文：Qi Bo said: “Those who cultivate the Dao can delay aging and preserve physical integrity. Even in advanced age, they can still have children.”

第十七段

原文：黄帝曰：余闻上古有真人者，提挈天地，把握阴阳，呼吸精气，独立守神，肌肉若一，故能寿敝天地，无有终时，此其道生。

英文：The Yellow Emperor said: “I have heard that in high antiquity there were True Immortals who grasped heaven and earth, controlled Yin‑Yang, inhaled and exhaled refined Qi, preserved spirit in solitude, and kept their body unified. They lived as long as heaven and earth, eternally, born from the Dao.”

第十八段

原文：中古之时，有至人者，淳德全道，和于阴阳，调于四时，去世离俗，积精全神，游行天地之间，视听八达之外，此盖益其寿命而强者也，亦归于真人。

英文：“In middle antiquity there were Ultimate Sages with pure virtue and complete mastery of the Dao. They harmonized with Yin‑Yang and four seasons, transcended worldly desires, conserved essence and spirit, and perceived beyond the eight directions. They strengthened and prolonged their lifespan, ranking close to True Immortals.”

第十九段

原文：其次有圣人者，处天地之和，从八风之理，适嗜欲于世俗之间，无恚嗔之心，行不欲离于世，被服章，举不欲观于俗，外不劳形于事，内无思想之患，以恬愉为务，以自得为功，形体不敝，精神不散，亦可以百数。

英文：“Next are Sages who abide by the harmony of heaven and earth and follow the rules of eight winds. They adapt to worldly desires without anger, live among people without conforming to vulgar customs, avoid physical overwork and mental anxiety, take peace and joy as their pursuit, and preserve their body and spirit. They can also live to one hundred.”

第二十段

原文：其次有贤人者，法则天地，象似日月，辨列星辰，逆从阴阳，分别四时，将从上古，合同于道，亦可使益寿而有极时。

英文：“Then there are Worthies who model themselves on heaven and earth, follow the sun and moon, observe stars, adapt to Yin‑Yang and four seasons, emulate the ancients, and conform to the Dao. They can also prolong their lifespan, though with a natural end.”

《素问·上古天真论》核心思想（第一章总纲）

一、总核心

顺应自然、守养精气神，是长寿健康的根本；违背自然、纵欲耗神，是早衰多病的根源。

二、分点提炼核心要义

1. 养生总原则：法于阴阳，和于术数

人要遵循天地阴阳规律，配合导引、吐纳、饮食起居等养生方法，做到顺天时、合自然，不逆天地大道。

2. 三大养生根本法则

1. 起居有常，饮食有节，不妄作劳

规律作息、节制饮食、不过度劳累，保证形（身体）与神（精神）合一，才能尽享天年。

2. 避虚邪贼风，恬淡虚无，精神内守

对外：规避四时不正之气，防止外邪入侵；

对内：清心寡欲、心态平和，守住自身真气，疾病无从产生。

3. 节制欲望，德全不危

减少贪念、不攀比外物，内心纯粹安稳，身心不受耗损，方能百岁不衰。

3. 揭示人体生命节律：男女肾气盛衰规律

以肾气为核心，明确男女生长、发育、衰老、生殖的自然周期：

- 女子以7年为一周期，男子以8年为一周期；

- 肾气盛则生长壮实，肾气衰则衰老枯竭，肾藏先天精气，是生命之本。

4. 四种养生境界（由高到低）

1. 真人：合于大道，寿同天地，长生久视；

2. 至人：淳德守道，调和四时，延年益寿；

3. 圣人：安于世俗，恬淡自守，可活百岁；

4. 贤人：效法天地阴阳，顺应四时，可延长寿命。

5. 对比古今，点明早衰根源

上古之人顺道养生，百岁不衰；今人酗酒纵欲、作息无度、耗散真气，不到半百便身形衰败，以此警示后人。

三、一句话高度概括

以阴阳自然为纲，以精气神为核心，以内守恬淡、外顺四时为路径，阐释“顺道则长寿，逆道则早衰”的生命养生观。

Core Ideas of Plain Questions · Ancient Innate Theory (Chapter 1 General Outline)

I. General Core

Complying with nature and conserving essence, qi and spirit are the fundamental keys to longevity and health. Going against natural laws and indulging in excessive desires to consume one’s vital energy lead to premature aging and illnesses.

II. Refined Key Points

1. General Principle of Health Preservation: Abide by Yin‑Yang and Harmonize with Cultivation Arts

Human beings should follow the laws of Yin‑Yang in heaven and earth, combined with health‑preserving methods such as daoyin, breath regulation, balanced diet and regular daily routines, so as to conform to natural rhythms and never violate the universal Dao.

2. Three Fundamental Rules for Health Cultivation

1. Maintain regular daily routines, moderate diet, and avoid over‑exertion

Stick to regular work and rest, control food intake, and refrain from excessive physical labor. Only in this way can the physical body and spirit be unified, allowing people to live out their natural lifespan.

2. Guard against pathogenic winds, keep a tranquil and vacant mind, and retain spirit within

Externally: Avoid seasonal abnormal pathogenic qi to fend off external invasions;

Internally: Purify desires and keep inner peace to preserve primordial qi, so that diseases have no way to arise.

3. Restrain excessive desires and maintain complete inner virtue free from risks

Reduce greed and worldly vanity, stay mentally pure and steady to prevent physical and mental damage, thus enjoying a long life free from decline.

3. Revealing the Rhythm of Human Life: the Waxing and Waning of Kidney‑Qi in Men and Women

Centered on kidney‑qi, it clarifies the natural cycles of human growth, development, aging and fertility:

- Women follow a seven‑year cycle, while men follow an eight‑year cycle;

- Vigorous kidney‑qi ensures robust physical growth, while declining kidney‑qi results in aging and depletion. The kidneys store innate essence, serving as the root of life.

4. Four Realms of Health Cultivation (from the highest to the lowest)

1. True Immortal: Fully united with the universal Dao, living as long as heaven and earth with eternal vitality.

2. Ultimate Sage: Possessing pure virtue and mastering the Dao, harmonizing with four seasons to extend lifespan.

3. Sage: Living in secular society with inner tranquility, capable of living to a hundred years old.

4. Worthy: Modeling on heaven and earth, following Yin‑Yang and seasonal changes to prolong lifespan.

5. Contrast between Ancient and Modern Times to Explain the Root of Premature Aging

Ancients followed the Dao for health preservation and remained vigorous at the age of one hundred. By contrast, modern people indulge in alcohol and lust, have irregular lifestyles and consume vital essence recklessly, thus showing physical decline before fifty. This serves as a warning for later generations.

III. One‑Sentence Summary

Centered on Yin‑Yang nature and essence‑qi‑spirit, it adopts inner tranquility and compliance with seasonal rhythms as approaches, elaborating the life‑cultivation philosophy that obeying the Dao brings longevity, while defying it causes premature aging.