Fame or Fortune? Daodejing 44

Originally published December 21, 201

Here is just a little Laozi for you, a couple of days before the Western New Year, during this deep dark cold time of the year, which always invites me to sit quietly and contemplate the meaning of life. At moments like this, I feel immense gratitude for the fact that somehow life has provided me with access to the classical Chinese texts full of helpful answers:

名與身孰親？

身與貨孰多？

得與亡孰病？

是故甚愛必大費；

多藏必厚亡。

知足不辱，知止不殆，可以長久。

Fame or myself, which one is my kin?

Myself or material goods, which one is more?

To gain or to lose, which one is the sickness?

For this reason, great attachment invariably comes at a high cost.

Massive hoarding invariably results in steep loss.

Know enoughness, and you will not face disgrace; know stopping, and you will not face peril. Thus you can live a long time.