9. Knowing When to Stop
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
持而盈之，不如其已；揣而锐之，不可长保。
English translation
To keep filling a vessel already held full is not as good as stopping. A blade honed to extreme sharpness cannot preserve its edge for long.
Pushing fullness and sharpness to their limits makes what has been gained fragile. Knowing when to stop helps it endure.
Original Chinese text
金玉满堂，莫之能守；富贵而骄，自遗其咎。
English translation
When gold and jade fill the hall, no one can guard them forever. To be rich and honored yet arrogant is to bring trouble upon oneself.
Wealth and status are already hard to preserve; pride makes them still less secure. The more one has, the more restraint is needed.
Original Chinese text
功遂身退天之道。
English translation
When the work is accomplished, step back; this is the way of nature.
One need not cling to credit after completing a task. Withdrawing at the right time keeps success from turning into excess and lets the result stand on its own.