1. 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?

2. thus we may see,

who cleaves to fame

rejects what is more great;

who loves large stores

gives up the richer state.

3. who is content

needs fear no shame.

who knows to stop

incurs no blame.

from danger free

long live shall he.

名与身孰亲？

身与货孰多？

得与亡孰病？

甚爱必大费，多藏必厚亡。

故知足不辱，知止不殆，可以长久。

【译文】

声名与身家哪个更为切己？身家与财货哪个更为重要？得失损益如何把持得定？过分的贪欲必然连接着庞大的破费，过多的持藏必然导向沉重的损失。所以，懂得自我满足就不会有挫折，懂得适可而止就不会有危险，可以长久行进。