Dao De Jing, chapter 9
Wednesday, 7 August 2024 07:33![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
If you hold [a pot] that’s full, you’d best stop carrying it;
If you use [a blade] that’s sharp, you cannot protect it long;
If your hall’s filled with gold and jades, it cannot be defended.
If you’re arrogant from wealth and honors, this is a mistake;
If after successes you withdraw, this is the way of heaven.
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。
功遂身退天之道。
“Protect” the blade from dulling, apparently—though compare 4.3. Alternate second half of l.5: “it’s your own damn fault” as Laozi thumps his cane.
---L.
If you use [a blade] that’s sharp, you cannot protect it long;
If your hall’s filled with gold and jades, it cannot be defended.
If you’re arrogant from wealth and honors, this is a mistake;
If after successes you withdraw, this is the way of heaven.
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。
功遂身退天之道。
“Protect” the blade from dulling, apparently—though compare 4.3. Alternate second half of l.5: “it’s your own damn fault” as Laozi thumps his cane.
---L.