Tao Te Ching Chapter 9 – 运夷 (道德經 第9章)
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Tao Te Ching — Chapter 9: Fulness and Complacency Contrary to the Dao
道德經 第九章 · 運夷 · Lao Tzu · Bilingual Edition with Classical Commentaries
Original Text — 原文
金玉滿堂，莫之能守；富貴而驕，自遗其咎。
功遂身退天之道。
English Translation — James Legge
It is better to leave a vessel unfilled, than to attempt to carry it when it is full. If you keep feeling a point that has been sharpened, the point cannot long preserve its sharpness.
When gold and jade fill the hall, their possessor cannot keep them safe. When wealth and honours lead to arrogancy, this brings its evil on itself. When the work is done, and one's name is becoming distinguished, to withdraw into obscurity is the way of Heaven and the Dao.
✦ Key Insight
Chapter 9 is Lao Tzu's warning against excess in all its forms: overfilling, over-sharpening, over-accumulating, over-reaching. The natural world offers the same lesson — the sun at its zenith begins to set, the full moon begins to wane. The Taoist sage knows when to stop. This art of timely withdrawal is not defeat, but the highest wisdom of Taoist self-cultivation and ritual practice: act, complete, and release.
Classical Commentaries — 古典注释
王弼注 Wang Bi's Commentary
Wang Bi warns against overfilling a vessel — it will surely tip. A blade sharpened to its extreme cannot stay sharp. Gold and jade cannot be safeguarded; wealth and pride bring their own ruin. The four seasons rotate: when their work is done, they move on. This is the Way of Heaven — to withdraw when the work is done.
河上公注 Heshang Gong's Commentary
Heshang Gong warns that holding a full vessel to the brim invites overturning — better to stop. Excessive desire harms the spirit; too much wealth burdens the body. The rich should relieve the poor, the noble should pity the lowly — arrogance brings disaster. When work is done and reputation made, one must withdraw. As the sun at noon begins to move, the full moon begins to wane, and all things at their peak begin to decline.
About the Author
Paul Peng
Paul Peng is a Zhengyi Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi — the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters' tradition. Ordained at 25 after a dream from the Celestial Master, he has practiced for 25 years under Master Zeng Guangliang. He is the curator of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.
Read his full story →
