Tao Te Ching

Chapter 45
[Original text]

Which is the name and the body?Body or goods[1], which one is more[2]?Gain and death [3] which disease [4]?

If you love very much, you will spend a lot of money, and if you hide too much, you will die thickly [5].

Therefore, if you are content without being humiliated, if you know how to stop, you will not perish, and you can last for a long time.

【Note】

[1] Goods: property.

[2] Many: precious.

[3] Death: lost.

[4] Disease: Harmful.

[5] thick: significant.

【Analysis】

Which one is closer, fame or body?Which should be more important, life or wealth?Which one is more harmful to you, gain or loss?

Excessive pursuit of what one likes will inevitably lead to excessive consumption, and excessive collection of property will inevitably bring about heavy losses.

Therefore, if you know how to be satisfied, you will not be humiliated, and if you know how to stop, you will not encounter danger. This is the principle of long-term survival.

To put it simply, a person should know what is important to him, and not pursue flashy things, let alone do some excessive things.Only by knowing how to stop can we go further.

【Explanation by Famous Artists】

Mr. He Shang:
The name then retreats.If you have a lot of money, you will hurt yourself.If you are good at gaining benefits, you will be sick of your actions.

Loves sex very much, consumes energy.Love money very much, encounter disaster.Those who love less, those who spend more, so it costs a lot.Life is mostly hidden in the treasury, and death is mostly hidden in the tomb.In life, there is the worry of attack and robbery, and in death, there is the worry of digging graves and searching for coffins.

A contented person is absolutely free from desires and does not disgrace himself.If you know what you can do, then you will not be burdened by wealth and profit, your voice will not be disturbed by your eyes and ears, and your life will not be in danger.If people know how to stop and be content, they will be blessed and rewarded. Those who govern the body will not be troubled by the gods; those who govern the country will not disturb the people, so they can last for a long time.

(End of this chapter)