Detailed Translation Comparison
Quote by Lao Tzu
đĄ Tip: Compare these two translations side-by-side. Use the voting buttons to indicate which translation you prefer. The metrics below show detailed differences in length, word count, and similarity.
English
Translation 1
9
To hold and fill a cup to overflowing Is not as good as to stop in time.
Sharpen 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.
To be proud with honour and wealth Is to cause one's own downfall.
withdraw as soon as your work is done. Such is Heaven's Way.
Characters:
351
Words:
73
Comments:
0
Last updated:
2026-02-13 13:43
French
Translation 2
9
Tenir un vase plein, sans que rien dĂ©coule, est impossible ; mieux eĂ»t valu ne pas le remplir. Conserver une lame affilĂ©e Ă lâextrĂȘme, sans que son tranchant ne sâĂ©mousse, est impossible ; mieux eĂ»t valu ne pas lâaiguiser Ă ce point. Garder une salle pleine dâor et de pierres prĂ©cieuses, sans que rien en soit dĂ©tournĂ©, est impossible ; mieux eĂ»t valu ne pas amasser ce trĂ©sor.
Aucun extrĂȘme ne peut ĂȘtre maintenu longÂtemps. A tout apogĂ©e succĂšde nĂ©cessairement une dĂ©cadence. Ainsi de lâhomme...
Quiconque, Ă©tant devenu riche et puissant, sâenÂorgueillit, prĂ©pare lui-mĂȘme sa ruine.
Se retirer, Ă lâapogĂ©e de son mĂ©rite et de sa reÂnommĂ©e, voilĂ la voie du ciel.
Characters:
671
Words:
113
Comments:
0
Last updated:
2026-02-13 13:43
Comparison Metrics
Character Difference
+320
chars longer
Translation 2 vs Translation 1
Word Count Difference
+40
words more
Translation 2 vs Translation 1
Similarity Score
18.4%
Very different approaches
âčïž Understanding the Metrics:
- Character/Word Difference: Shows how much longer or shorter Translation 2 is compared to Translation 1
- Similarity Score: Measures how similar the two texts are based on character-level comparison (higher = more similar)
- These metrics help you understand stylistic differences, but don't necessarily indicate translation quality