| |
Original |
Legge's
Translation |
Susuki's
Translation |
Goddard's
Translation |
| 1 |
名與身孰親？身與貨孰多？得與亡孰病？ |
Or fame or life,
Which do you hold more dear?
Or life or wealth,
To which would you adhere?
Keep life and lose those other things;
Keep them and lose your life:--which brings sorrow
and pain more near?
|
"Name or person, which is more near?
Person or fortune, which is more dear?
Gain or loss, which is more sear? |
Which is nearer, a name or a person? Which is more, personality or treasure?
Is it more painful to gain or to suffer loss? |
| 2 |
是故甚愛必大費﹔多藏必厚亡。
|
Thus we may see,
Who cleaves to fame
Rejects what is more great;
Who loves large stores
Gives up the richer state.
|
"Extreme dotage leadeth to squandering.
Hoarded wealth inviteth plundering.
|
Extreme indulgence certainly greatly wastes. Much hoarding certainly invites
severe loss.
|
| 3 |
故知足不辱，知止不殆，可以長久。 |
Who is content
Needs fear no shame.
Who knows to stop
Incurs no blame.
From danger free
Long live shall he. |
"Who is content incurs no humiliation,
Who knows when to stop risks no vitiation,
Forever lasteth his duration."
|
A contented person is not despised. One who knows when to stop is not endangered;
he will be able therefore to continue. |
