一起 "用英語讀老子道德經" 9/81

第九章

持而盈之，不如其己。

Hold and fill it, not better early stop.

揣而鋭之，不可長保。

Hammer and sharpen it, not able to long preserve.

金玉滿堂，莫之能守。

Gold jade full house, not it able to guard.

富貴而驕，自遺其咎。

Rich famous and conceited, self bring his ruin.

功遂身退，天之道。

Tasks finished self withdraw, Heaven’s way.

英譯：

Rather then over filling it, isn’t it better to stop early?

Hammer a sword to its sharpest, can it be preserved for long?

Fill your home with gold and jade, can it be protected?

Show off your wealth and position, bring calamity upon yourself.

To retire when your task is accomplished is the way of Heaven.

中譯：

與其裝得太滿，不如早點停止？

把劍鑄得太鋒利，其鋒利就能保持長久嗎？

金玉滿堂，你就能守得住嗎？

炫耀你的財富地位，就會給自己帶來災難。

任務完成後就退休，這才是上天之道。