Way of Earth
大地及地上万物存在与变化的法则。古人认为，天地万物是一体的，因此常将“地道”与“天道”“人道”并举。其中，“天道”“地道”构成了人伦秩序与人事所效法的准则。不过，古人对“地道”的理解不尽相同：其一，认为大地及地上的万物遵循着不同于“天道”的法则。其二，认为大地及地上的万物遵循着与“天道”相通的法则，但这一法则在天、地有着不同的表现形式。
The way of earth refers to the law by which the earth and all things on it exist and undergo change. The ancient Chinese believed in the oneness of the heaven, earth, and human being. Thus they associated the way of earth with the way of heaven and the way of man. They also considered that the way of heaven and the way of earth establish the order of human relationships and the norms of human affairs. However, the ancients did not agree on their conception of the way of earth. According to some philosophers, the earth and all things on it follow a law that is different from the way of heaven, while others believed the law governing the earth and all things on it is the same as the way of heaven in essence but different in manifestation.
引例 Citations：
◎是以立天之道曰阴与阳，立地之道曰柔与刚，立人之道曰仁与义。（《周易·说卦》）
所以确立天的法则为阴与阳，确立地的法则为柔与刚，确立人世的法则为仁与义。
So the way of heaven can be summed up as yin and yang, the way of earth as softness and hardness, and the way of man as benevolence and righteousness. (The Book of Changes)
◎天道曰圆，地道曰方。方者主幽，圆者主明。（《淮南子·天文训》）
天的规则是圆的，地的规则是方的。地的规则主宰幽暗，天的规则主宰光明。
The way of heaven is circular, and the way of earth square. The latter is the ruler of darkness, while the former the ruler of light. (Huainanzi)
推荐：教育部 国家语委
供稿：北京外国语大学 外语教学与研究出版社
责任编辑：钱耐安
