Dharma & Dao

Tao Te Ching · Chapter 9 of 81

Chapter 9

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.

  1. Better to leave a cup unfilled than to try to carry it brimming over. Keep testing the edge of a blade, and it will not stay sharp for long.

  2. When gold and jade fill the hall, no one can keep them safe. Wealth and honors that breed arrogance bring their own ruin. When the work is done and your name has risen, to step back into obscurity is the way of Heaven.

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