Daodejing - Chapter Nine

 

Zhang Lu-Laozi Riding an Ox - Created: Ming dynasty (1368–1644)

The subject deals with the story of Laotzu riding an ox through a pass. It is said that with the fall of the Chou dynasty, Laotzu decided to travel west through the Han Valley Pass. The Pass Commissioner, Yin-hsi, noticed a trail of vapor emanating from the east, deducing that a sage must be approaching. Not long after, Laotzu riding his ox indeed appeared and, at the request of Yin-hsi, wrote down his famous Tao-te ching, leaving afterwards. This story thus became associated with auspiciousness. — National Palace Museum

道德經  - 第九章

持而盈之，不如其已；

揣而銳之，不可長保。

金玉滿堂，莫之能守；

富貴而驕，自遺其咎。

功遂身退天之道。

Daodejing - Chapter Nine

 Fill your bowl to the brim, and it will spill.

 Keep sharpening your knife, and it will blunt.

Chase after money and security, and your heart will never unclench.

Care about people's approval, and you will be their prisoner.

Do your work then step back, the only path to serenity.

References

1. The above translation is based on the translation by poet, translator, scholar and anthologist, Stephen Mitchell.  His reading of the work can be found on the following YouTube video: Tao Te Ching, The Book Of The Way by Lao Tzu:  https://youtu.be/t109UFLSQhk?t=1083
2. This chapter on the above video starts at 18:00 and ends at 18:50.
3. You can find the complete 81 chapters of Daodejing in Chinese and English (James Legge version) in the ctext.org website: https://ctext.org/dao-de-jing