第四十四章    知足不辱
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。故知足不辱，知止不殆，可以長久。

Know what is enoughkeeps disgrace away

Fame or your body,which do you love more? Life or material wealth, which is more valuable? Lossor gain, which is worse?

Therefore those whodesire most spend extravagantly. Those who hoard most lose most heavily.

He who is contentedsuffers no disgrace. He who knows when to stop is free from danger. Only thuscan he endure long.

[譯文]

名利與身心性命哪個更值得珍惜？身心性命與財貨哪個更重要？得到與失去那個更令人煩神？貪愛過多必然使人耗費巨大，斂財過多必然導致損失摻重。

所以知足就不會因其貪欲而招致污辱，知道適可而止就不會遇到危險，這樣才立身平安長久。