Filling to fullness is not as good as stopping at the right moment.

Temper a sword-edge to its very sharpest, and the edge will not last long.

When gold and jade fill your hall, You will not be able to keep them safe.

To be proud with wealth and honor Is to sow seeds of one's own downfall.

Retire once your purpose is achieved，as things cycle in the natural laws.

第九章     功遂身退

持而盈之，不如其已。 揣而銳之，不可長(zhǎng)保。 金玉滿堂，莫之能守。 富貴而驕，自遺其咎。 功遂身退，天之道也。

[譯文]

執(zhí)著追求卓越和圓滿, 不如適可而止。鋒芒畢露, 畢竟不能保持長(zhǎng)久。金銀寶物充滿堂屋，難以守而不失。富貴而驕奢無(wú)度，便是自招禍患。

建功立業(yè)，含藏收斂，不取功名，天道如此。