《菜根谭》是明朝还初道人洪应明收集编著的儒家经典，是一部论述修养、人生、处世、出世的语录集。其文字简炼明隽，兼采雅俗，言辞中流露出山林意趣，渗透着万物一体的世界观。开出的处世之方偏重心态和人事，悟虚妄真实之理，指出贫富、尊卑、穷达因为心念使善恶、祸福相互转换，告诫世人及时转念，戒贪少欲，取中庸之道。著作前后内容和深度有所不同，反映出了不同的阅历和境界。
Caigen Tan “is a Confucian classic collected and compiled by Hong Yingming, a Taoist during the early Ming Dynasty. It is a collection of sayings discussing cultivation, life, social interactions, and worldly affairs. His writing is concise, clear, and elegant, with a blend of elegance and vulgarity. His words reveal the charm of mountains and forests, permeating the worldview of the unity of all things. The way of dealing with the world emphasized on mentality and human affairs, realizing the truth of falsehood, pointing out that wealth, hierarchy, and poverty can be transformed into good and evil, as well as good and bad, due to the mindset. It warned people to change their mindset in a timely manner, avoid greed and desires, and take the middle way. The content and depth of the work differ before and after, reflecting different experiences and realms.
《菜根谭》（种德施惠、无位公相）
平民肯种德施惠，便是无位的公相；士夫徒贪权市宠，竟成有爵的乞人。
If an ordinary person secretly stores up virtue and does charitable deeds he is as influential as a duke or minister despite his lack of fame and position. If a noble grandee does nothing but seek greater patronage, power and wealth, he is nothing more than a beggar with a titled rank.
（保罗·怀特 译）
An ordinary person who is willing to cultivate his morality and bestow benevolence to others will be esteemed as a duke without rank. A noble official who is only interested in seeking after higher rank and more favors will be looked down upon as a beggar with title.
（周文标 译）
A commoner who does good and accumulates merit is a lord without a title; a scholar official who covets power and curries favor is a beggar with a position.
（蒋坚松 译）
