Chapter 44

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? Thus we may see, Who cleaves to fame Rejects what is more great; Who loves large stores Gives up the richer state. Who is content Needs fear no shame. Who knows to stop Incurs no blame. From danger free Long live shall he.

Commentary

Commentary

SETTING UP PRECEPTS. 1. "Name or person, which is more near? Person or fortune, which is more dear ? Gain or loss, which is more sear? 2. "Extreme dotage leadeth to squandering. Hoarded wealth inviteth plundering. 3. "Who is content incurs no humiliation, Who knows when to stop risks no vitiation, Forever lasteth his duration." Next: 45. Greatest Virtue | « Previous: The Canon of Reason and Virtue (Tao te Ching): The Old Ph... Next: The Canon of Reason and Virtue (Tao te Ching): The Old Ph... »
Sources: Paul Carus (1913) - Chapter heading; Paul Carus (1913) - Canon of Reason and Virtue