Tao Te Ching Chapter 9
Original Chinese Text
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。
Pinyin (Pronunciation)
Chí ér yíng zhī, bùrú qí yǐ;
Chuǎi ér ruì zhī, bùkě cháng bǎo.
Jīn yù mǎn táng, mò zhī néng shǒu;
Fùguì ér jiāo, zì yí qí jiù.
Gōng suì shēn tuì, tiān zhī dào.
白话文翻译 (Plain Chinese Translation)
- 持而盈之，不如其已
- 容器盛满还要继续倾倒，不如适时停止。
- Filling a cup past its brim ensures it will spill—better to stop in time.
- 揣而锐之，不可长保
- 刀刃磨得过于锋利，难以长久保持。
- Over-sharpening a blade makes it dull faster.
- 金玉满堂，莫之能守
- 满屋金玉财宝，终究无法守住。
- No one can guard a house overflowing with treasure.
- 富贵而骄，自遗其咎
- 富贵而骄横，只会自招祸患。
- Wealth with arrogance invites disaster.
- 功遂身退，天之道
- 功业成就后隐退，才符合自然规律。
- Retiring when the work is done—this is Heaven’s way.
Key Concepts Explained
- 盈 (yíng / Fullness): Represents excess that leads to loss (parallels Chapter 15’s “保此道者不欲盈”).
- 天之道 (tiān zhī dào / Heaven’s Way): Cyclic natural law—growth must yield to withdrawal.
- 功遂身退 (gōng suì shēn tuì): The ideal of timely retreat (e.g.,范蠡’s post-victory retirement).
Philosophical Essence
- Law of Reversal:
- Extreme fullness turns to emptiness (呼应 Chapter 58’s “祸兮福所倚”).
- Contrasts with Western “more is better” materialism.
- Timing Wisdom:
- Applies to leadership (retire after success),
- Personal conduct (avoid arrogance).
- Cosmic Rhythm:
- Mirrors seasons’ cycle—growth must retreat (see Chapter 40’s “return” principle).
“The tree that bends survives the storm; the rigid oak snaps.”
— Analogy for verse 2’s over-sharpening warning.
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