Dharma & Dao

Tao Te Ching · Chapter 44 of 81

Chapter 44

modern paraphrase of James Legge's 1891 translation

Modern paraphrase. This is an AI-generated retelling in contemporary English (model: claude-opus-4-7). It is not the James Legge translation. The original is one click away.

Fame or life—which matters more to you? Life or wealth—which would you cling to? Keep your life and lose those things, or keep those things and lose your life—which causes more sorrow and pain?

So we can see: whoever clings to fame rejects something greater; whoever hoards possessions gives up a richer state.

The content person need not fear disgrace. The one who knows when to stop incurs no blame. Free from danger, such a person will live long.

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