Tao Te Ching - 9

Fill a bowl to the brim,

it will spill.

Over-sharpen a blade,

it will be dull.

Gold and jade fill a room,

But no one can protect them.

Boast about wealth and status,

And calamity will follow.

As one achieve success and fame,

then step back.

This is the way of the Tao.

Chapter 9 of the Tao Te Ching focuses on the principle of moderation and the pitfalls of excess. It teaches that overreaching and accumulation can lead to loss and harm, emphasizing the importance of knowing when to stop and contenting oneself with what one has. This chapter reflects the Taoist principles of balance, simplicity, and the natural flow of life.

Translated by Chiyan Wang

Edited by Robert Smitheram