The sage does not suffer shame that he may eat, or endure
disgrace that he may succeed. Lao-tzŭ said,
Fame or one's self, which matters to one most?
One's own self or things bought, which should count most?
In the getting or the losing, which is worse?
Hence[2]
he who grudges expense pays dearest in the end;
He who has hoarded most will suffer the heaviest loss.
Be content with what you have and are, and no one can despoil you:
Who stops in time nothing can harm.
He is forever safe and secure.[3]
What is most perfect seems to have something missing,
Yet its use is unimpaired.
What is most full seems empty;
Yet its use will never fail.
What is most straight seems crooked;[4]
[The greatest skill seems like clumsiness,][5]
The greatest eloquence seems like stuttering.[6]
Yet their use is not impaired.[7]
No fault is greater than desiring much,[8]
No disaster greater than not to be content with what one has.[9]
Truly, he who has once known the contentment that comes simply
through being content, will never again be otherwise than contented.
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