Tao Te Ching - Lao Tzu Book 1 V9 -10

Dao De Jing,

Book 1,

Verse 9 Rather than fill it to the brim by keeping it upright,

Better to have stopped in time,

Hammer it to a point and the sharpness cannot be preserved forever.

There may be gold in jade to fill the hall,

But there is none who can keep them.

To be overbearing when one has wealth and position is to bring calamity upon oneself.

To retire when the task is accomplished is the way of heaven.

Verse 10 When carrying on your head your perplexed bodily soul,

Can you embrace in your arms the one and not let go?

In concentrating your breath can you become as supple as a babe?

Can you polish your mysterious mirror and leave no blemish?

Can you love the people and govern the state without resorting to action?

When the gates of heaven open and shut,

Are you capable of keeping to the role of the female?

When your discernment penetrates the four quarters,

Are you capable of not knowing anything?

It gives them life and rears them.

It gives them life yet claims no possession.

It benefits them yet exacts no gratitude.

It is the steward yet exercises no authority.

Such is called the mysterious virtue.