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"Rather than fill it to the brim by keeping it upright Better to have stopped in time; Hammer it to a point And the sharpness cannot be preserved for ever; There may be gold and jade to fill a hall But there is none who can keep them. To be overbearing when one has wealth and position Is to bring calamity upon oneself. To retire when the task is accomplished Is the way of heaven."

Author

Lao Tzu

All Translations

English

"Rather than fill it to the brim by keeping it upright Better to have stopped in time; Hammer it to a point And the sharpness cannot be preserved for ever; There may be gold and jade to fill a hall But there is none who can keep them. To be overbearing when one has wealth and position Is to bring calamity upon oneself. To retire when the task is accomplished Is the way of heaven."

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