dawei Posted August 24, 2018 David Hinton 2002 44 Name or self: which is precious? Self or wealth: which is treasure? Gain or loss: which is affliction? Indulge love and the cost is dear. Keep treasures and the loss is lavish. Knowing contentment you avoid tarnish, and knowing when to stop you avoid danger. Try it and your life will last and last. Chad Hansen 2009 44 Your name or your self--which is closest to you? Your self and commodities--which counts as more? Obtaining and losing--which is a defect? For this reason, superlative love certainly has great cost. Much storage certainly increases losses. Knowing to 'sufficient' does not disgrace. Knowing to 'stop' does not endanger.' You can endure longer. Moss Roberts 2001 44 Is the name or the man more precious? Does the man or his goods count for more? Does the gain or loss bring more pain? Extreme economies entail great waste, And excess holding heavy losses; But a humbling is spared by few wants, A miscarriage by knowing the limits; Thus one can abide and endure.  Lok Sang Ho 2002 44 Which is the dearer, Fame or the body? Which means more, The body or wealth? Which can be called an ill, To gain or to lose?77 Greater cost comes with greater craving. Greater loss comes with greater accumulation.78 He who knows what he needs  will attract no dishonor. He who knows when to stop  will come to no grief. Such people can have a lasting life. Gu Zhengku 1993 44 Which is dearer, your name or your body? Which is more important, your body or your goods? Which is more harmful, gain or loss? Excessive stinginess will result in great expense; Too much amassment leads to great loss; Knowing contentment avoids disgrace; Knowing when to stop avoids danger. Thus one can be long in safety.  Lin Yutang 1948 44 Fame or one's own self, which does one love more? One's own self or material goods, which has more worth? Loss (of self) or possession (of goods), which is the greater evil? Therefore: he who loves most spends most,   He who hoards much loses much. The contented man meets no disgrace; Who know when to stop runs into no danger - He can long endure.  Flowing Hands 1987 44 Self indulgence and fame, or self cultivation and harmony, Which are more important? Disorder and greed, or health and a cultivated and open mind, Which is more precious? The loss of treasures or the gaining of the Dao, which is more painful? Whoever is attached to material objects will suffer. A contented man will never be disappointed for he is unattached. Be simple, be kind, have nothing, but be full. Know this and reject that, and live your life in peace and contentment. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OldDog Posted August 25, 2018 (edited) The line following the three comparisons seems to be key to this chapter. Lin Yutang's interpretation seems close.  Therefore, he who loves most spends most, He who hoards much loses much.  But I think there is even more to it.  It seems that in the world, the things we hold on to too tightly ... be it money, goods, ideas, people ... are damaged or destroyed. Only by letting go of them are they allowed to work their own way in the world ... find their best truest expression. One who truly has high regard ... love ... things will let go of them and remember them fondly.   Edited August 25, 2018 by OldDog Better expression 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dawei Posted September 6, 2018 On 8/24/2018 at 3:24 PM, dawei said: Flowing Hands 1987 44 Whoever is attached to material objects will suffer. A contented man will never be disappointed for he is unattached.  I find this the essence of meaning: attachment = suffer  Sounds a bit buddhist but I get the point. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted September 6, 2018 You don't want to hear (again) my opinion of suffering. Â 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sketch Posted October 24, 2020 Verse Forty Four  Which is dearer and more precious to you,  Your reputation or your health?  Your health or your wealth? Your possessions and commodities?  Gain and loss - which is the illness?  Being admired is expensive.  Going after treasure and wealth Can make a person poor.  Just taking care of the basics is no humiliation.  Know the limits, rather than experiencing the dangers,  And survive.  Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
