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.

^{---
(*) TS'AO TAO-CH'UNG says:
"The wealth from giving generously is inexhaustible.
The power from not accumulating is boundless."}

It is easier to carry an empty cup
than one that is filled to the brim.

The sharper the knife
the easier it is to dull.
The more wealth you possess*
the harder it is to protect.
Pride brings its own trouble.

When you have accomplished your goal
simply walk away.
This is the pathway to Heaven.

^---

(1) work (2) complete (3) oneself (4) retreat (5) Heaven (6) the same's (7) way

It is advisable to refrain from continual reaching after wealth.
Continual handling and sharpening wears away the most durable thing.
If the house be full of jewels, who shall protect it?
Wealth and glory bring care along with pride.
To stop when good work is done and honour advancing, is the way of Heaven.

^{---
(*) WALTER GORN OLD says:
"Would it not be easier for us all to take the counsel of Laotze, the advice of
Democritus, and make our wealth to consist in the reducing of our wants?"}
 

To hold and fill (a vessel) to the full,
It had better not be done.
To temper and sharpen a sword,
Its edge could not be kept long.
To fill the hall with gold and jade,
There is no way to guard them.
To be rich, exalted, and proud,
This is to invite blame upon oneself.
When work is done, the person retires,
Such is the Tao of heaven.*

^{---
(*) WANG PI comments:
"The four seasons rotate, each, when its
work is done, moves on."}

Let Heavenly Love fill you
      and overflow in you,
Not according to your measure of fulness.

Prove it, probe deeply into it,
It shall not long withstand you.

You may fill a place with gold
      and precious stones,
You will not be able to guard them.

You may be weighted with honours
      and become proud.
Misfortune then will come to your Self.

You may accomplish great deeds
      and acquire fame,
Retire yourself;
This is Heavenly Tao.

^---

To hold and to fill is not as if it were
      something that might be stopped
To handle and to fill cannot be safe for long.
If gold and jade fill the hall, nobody is
      able to guard it.
To be rich, honored, and then haughty leads
      of itself to misfortune.
Merit is achieved, glory follows,
      the personality recedes,
      This is the way of heaven.

^---

Continuing to fill a pail after it is full
      the water will be wasted. Continuing
      to grind an axe after it is sharp
      will soon wear it away.

Who can protect a public hall
      crowded with gold and jewels?
      The pride of wealth and position
      brings about their own misfortune.
      To win true merit, to preserve just fame,
      the personality must be retiring.
      This is the heavenly Tao.

^---