10. Kismet
10. 天命

The question is always brought up: Is there a power which rules the universe and controls all our actions, or are we free to do as we please; is our situation the result of our good or bad deeds, or are our actions and situation governed by the influence of the planets?

人們總會提出這樣的問題：是否有一種力量統御著宇宙，也支配著我們所有的行為？還是我們擁有自由，可以隨心所欲地行動？我們所處的境遇，是自身善行或惡行所造成的結果，還是我們的行為與處境其實受到星辰影響的支配？

In answer to this I will first mention what contradicts each of these principles. If God makes us act then we are not responsible; then it is all God and we have no responsibility. If we are quite free then I will say that you are your own well-wisher, and no one will be his own ill-wisher. Then whatever you wish for — success, riches or whatever it is — you will have it. It seems however that it is not so.

為了回答這個問題，我首先要指出其中每一種說法所存在的矛盾。假如是神使我們採取一切行動，那麼我們便不必負任何責任；一切都是神的作為，我們自己毫無責任可言。假如我們是完全自由的，那麼我要說，每個人都會為自己謀求最好的事，沒有人會故意讓自己遭受不幸。如此一來，無論你所渴望的是成功、財富，或其他任何事物，你都應當能夠得到。然而，事實似乎並非如此。

If happiness and good fortune were the result of good actions then everyone would be good, and no one would be bad. But we see that many very wicked people are very fortunate: every day a wicked deed and every day a good fortune while many very good people are always unfortunate and in difficulties. Christ and all the prophets and saints suffered great adversities.

假如幸福與好運都是善行的結果，那麼人人都會行善，也就不會有人作惡。然而我們看到，許多極為邪惡的人卻十分走運：日日作惡，日日仍有好運；反之，許多十分善良的人卻總是遭逢不幸、身處困境。基督，以及所有的先知與聖者，也都曾經歷巨大的苦難。

If everything is the outcome of the influence of the planets, then I will say that you should stay in your room when there is a planet that is unfavorable to you; you should do nothing. Also when there is a planet that is favorable you should do nothing, because the planet will bring you everything by itself.

假如一切都是星辰影響所造成的結果，那麼我要說，當某顆星對你不利時，你就應該待在房間裡，什麼也不要做；而當某顆星對你有利時，你同樣也什麼都不必做，因為那顆星自然會把一切帶給你。

Having told you the contradictions I will now tell you the truth of each principle. There are four great powers that govern the world: Qadr and Qaher, Jalal and Jamal.

指出了這些說法的矛盾之後，現在我要告訴你，每一種原則中所包含的真理。世間有四種偉大的力量支配著一切：權能（Qadr）、統御（Qaher）、莊嚴（Jalal）與至美（Jamal）。

Qaher is the power that governs the whole. For instance the king governs the whole country, but power is given to viceroys and to governors. The governor governs a whole province, but power is given to a commissioner. The commissioner governs his district; he knows more about its affairs than the governor knows and the governor does not interfere in his district. Each human being is given a power: beside those of the planet, and the outer influences, also man’s will, may be stronger than the planet.

統御（Qaher）是支配整體的力量。譬如，君王統治整個國家，卻會將權力授予總督與地方長官。地方長官治理整個省分，但也會將權力授予區域官員。區域官員治理自己的轄區；他對當地事務的了解，比地方長官更加深入，因此地方長官不會干預他轄區內的事務。每一個人也都被賦予了一份力量；除了星辰的力量與種種外在影響之外，人的意志同樣具有力量，甚至可能比星辰的影響更強。

On its return journey the soul has also to pass through the planets, the sun and the moon.

靈魂在回歸的旅程中，也必須再次經過諸星、太陽與月亮。

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