Laozi · Complete work
Chapter 44
Chapter 44 of 81. Read it here for reference, or continue through the entire work without leaving the reader.
Open the complete readerOriginal Classical Chinese
名與身孰親？身與貨孰多？得與亡孰病？是故甚愛必大費；多藏必厚亡。知足不辱，知止不殆，可以長久。
Mouseia
Mouseia’s complete machine-assisted Musean translation, made directly from the original source for fidelity, modern clarity, beauty, symbolism, and structure.
Name or body—which is dearer?Body or goods—which is worth more?Gain or loss—which is more afflicting?Therefore, excessive attachment must cost greatly;Amassing much must suffer heavy loss.Know enough and meet no disgrace; know when to stop and meet no danger: thus you may long endure.
OpenTao
Complete CC BY 4.0 translation made directly from the received Chinese text; source line structure preserved.
Your reputation or your life—which is dearer?Your life or your possessions—which weighs more?Gain or loss—which is the greater harm?So clinging too hard always exacts a heavy price;hoarding much always ends in heavy loss.Know what is enough, and you avoid humiliation; know when to stop, and you avoid danger. Then you can endure.
James Legge (1891)
Complete public-domain translation made directly from the original source text.
1.
Or fame or life,Which do you hold more dear?Or life or wealth,To which would you adhere?Keep life and lose those other things;Keep them and lose your life:--which bringsSorrow and pain more near?
2.
Thus we may see,Who cleaves to fameRejects what is more great;Who loves large storesGives up the richer state.
3.
Who is contentNeeds fear no shame.Who knows to stopIncurs no blame.From danger freeLong live shall he.