第9章 · 原文
现代白话译文
端着杯子让它装满水，不如适可而止。把刀剑磨得锋利，很难长久保持。金玉满堂，没有人能够守住。富贵而骄傲，自己招来祸患。功业成就后就隐退，这才符合天道。
英文译本 / English Translations
D.C. Lau
Rather than fill it to the brim by keeping it upright Better to have stopped in time; Hammer it to a point And the sharpness cannot be preserved for ever; There may be gold and jade to fill a hall But there is none who can keep them. To be overbearing when one has wealth and position Is to bring calamity upon oneself. To retire when the task is accomplished Is the way of heaven.
Robert Henricks
1. To hold it upright and fill it, 2. Is not so good as stopping [in time]. 3. When you pound it out and give it a point, 4. It won't be preserved very long. 5. When gold and jade fill your rooms, 6. You'll never be able to protect them. 7. Arrogance and pride with wealth and rank, 8. On their own bring on disaster. 9. When the deed is accomplished you retire; 10. Such is Heaven's Way!
Addiss & Lombardo
Holding a cup and filling it to the brim—stop. Whetting and sharpening a sword—you can't preserve it. When gold and jade fill your hall, you can't keep it safe. Pride in wealth and rank—your own disaster. Work done, then withdraw—this is heaven's way.
Arthur Waley
Stretch a bow to the very full, And you will wish you had stopped in time; Temper a sword-edge to its very sharpest, And you will find it soon grows dull. When bronze and jade fill your hall It can no longer be guarded. Wealth and place breed insolence; That brings ruin in its train. When your work is done, then withdraw! Such is Heaven's Way.
林语堂
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Stephen Mitchell
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.