Chapter 9
持而盈之
持而盈之,
不如其已;
揣而锐之,
不可长保。
金玉满堂,
莫之能守;
富贵而骄,
自遗其咎。
a> It is better to stop pouring than to grasp it until it is full; the blade forged to full sharpness will not last long.
Halls filled with gold and jade can never be secured; pride in wealth and rank brings disaster upon itself.
b> The work being done, step out of view – that is the dao of Tian.
A modern classroom translation, with labeled subsections for study.
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