Religion
Chapter 44
Translated by James Legge (1891) · From The Tao Teh King (1891)
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 brings
Sorrow and pain more near?
Thus we may see,
Who cleaves to fame
Rejects what is more great;
Who loves large stores
Gives up the richer state.
Who is content
Needs fear no shame.
Who knows to stop
Incurs no blame.
From danger free
Long live shall he.
Codex Note
Prose translation of a largely rhymed original, with occasional rhymed renderings by Legge; words in parentheses are his supplied additions.
Cite this poem
MLA
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 44.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/43/.
Chicago
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 44.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/43/.
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