Tao Te Ching – Verse 24
He who stands on tiptoe
doesn’t stand firm.
He who rushes ahead
doesn’t go far.
He who tries to shine
dims his own light.
He who defines himself
can’t know who he really is.
He who has power over others
can’t empower himself.
He who clings to his work
will create nothing that endures.
If you want to accord with the Tao,
just do your job, then let go.
(translation by Stephen Mitchell, 1995)
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Those who are on tiptoes cannot stand
Those who straddle cannot walk
Those who flaunt themselves are not clear
Those who presume themselves are not distinguished
Those who praise themselves have no merit
Those who boast about themselves do not last
Those with the Tao call such things leftover food or tumors
They despise them
Thus, those who possess the Tao do not engage in them
(translation by Derek Lin, 2006)
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Sages in caves are full of movement.
Those that define are confused.
Give to the intelligent, what they want.
Feed them tar.
(translation by Jeremy M. Miller, 2013)
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from I Ching Online
