Verse 9 by Lao Zi: 持而盈之，不如其已；揣而锐之，不可长保。金玉满堂，莫之能守；富贵而骄，自遗其咎。功遂身退天之道。
“To hold and fill to overflowing
Is not as good as stopping in time.
To sharpen a blade too much
Cannot preserve its edge for long.
Gold and jade fill a hall,
But no one can protect them.
Wealth and arrogance bring ruin upon oneself.
When the work is done, withdraw—
This is the Way of Heaven.”
Related Verse: Verse 8 上善若水。水善利万物而不争，处衆人之所恶，故几于道。居善地，心善渊，与善仁，言善信，正善治，事善能，动善时。夫唯不争，故无尤。
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Knowing When to Push Forward vs. When to Stop: The Balance Between Ambition and Letting Go
Laozi’s Daodejing teaches that wisdom is not about choosing one extreme over another—it is about balance. In Verse 9, he warns against excess, but this does not mean rejecting ambition or achievement. Instead, it suggests that one must know when to act and when to let go, aligning with the natural flow of life (Dao).
So how do we determine when to push forward and when to stop?
1. Understanding the Two Forces: Expansion and Contraction
Life follows a natural rhythm of growth (expansion) and rest (contraction)—like breathing in and out.
🔹 Expansion (Pushing Forward) → Ambition, effort, learning, striving, creation
🔹 Contraction (Letting Go) → Rest, retreat, reflection, stepping back, surrender
Just as nature moves in cycles (seasons, tides, breathing, heartbeats), so should we. The key is timing—knowing when to drive forward and when to pull back.
2. When to Push Forward: Signs You Should Strive
Laozi never says don’t pursue excellence—he warns against excess and attachment. Here are times when you should keep pushing:
a) When You Are Learning and Growing
- If you are still gaining new skills, insights, or connections, keep going.
- Growth requires effort and persistence before mastery is reached.
✅ Push forward when:
✔️ You still feel curiosity and excitement.
✔️ You’re expanding your abilities and wisdom.
b) When You Are Adding Value to Others
- If your ambition helps people, it has meaning.
- A leader, artist, or entrepreneur who creates something valuable is following the Dao.
✅ Push forward when:
✔️ Your work benefits more than just yourself.
✔️ You feel energized and fulfilled by contributing.
c) When You Have Momentum and Natural Flow
- Water flows easily when the path is clear—so should you.
- If opportunities come naturally (without extreme struggle), it’s a sign to keep moving.
✅ Push forward when:
✔️ Doors are opening instead of constantly slamming shut.
✔️ You feel energized, not drained.
3. When to Stop: Signs You Should Let Go
Laozi warns that continuing past the peak leads to decline. Knowing when to step back is just as important as knowing when to strive. Here are signals that it’s time to stop:
a) When More Effort is Not Bringing More Results
- If you’re overworking but seeing little progress, you may have reached diminishing returns.
- A blade sharpened too much will break—this applies to careers, relationships, and projects.
🚨 Stop when:
❌ You’re working harder but seeing no real improvement.
❌ The cost outweighs the benefit (e.g., stress, burnout).
b) When You’re Driven by Ego, Not Purpose
- Are you still pursuing something because it truly matters, or just to prove a point?
- Arrogance and attachment to success often lead to downfall.
🚨 Stop when:
❌ Your goal is just about status, control, or proving others wrong.
❌ You feel resentment, bitterness, or exhaustion rather than fulfillment.
c) When Holding On Creates More Harm than Good
- Like water that finds a new path, sometimes you must let go and change direction.
- If your efforts are causing harm—to your health, relationships, or well-being—it’s time to stop.
🚨 Stop when:
❌ Your health, relationships, or integrity are suffering.
❌ You are forcing things to work instead of allowing them to flow.
4. How to Know the Right Time: The Middle Way
The wisest people do not choose between ambition or stillness—they understand when to act and when to rest.
🔹 The Right Time to Push: When opportunities, inspiration, and energy align naturally.
🔹 The Right Time to Stop: When resistance, exhaustion, or excess takes over.
💡 Think of an archer:
- You pull back the bow (preparation).
- You release at the perfect moment (action).
- You do not keep pulling after the arrow has already flown.
5. Practical Questions to Ask Yourself
Before deciding whether to push forward or stop, ask:
✔️ Questions to Know When to Push:
✅ Does this still excite or challenge me?
✅ Is my effort leading to progress?
✅ Am I still learning and growing?
✅ Does this benefit more than just me?
✅ Am I moving forward naturally, without forcing?
💡 If YES, keep going.
❌ Questions to Know When to Stop:
🚨 Am I holding on just for my ego?
🚨 Am I harming myself or others in the process?
🚨 Am I exhausted, stuck, or forcing things to work?
🚨 Has this reached its peak?
🚨 Would stopping now actually be wiser than continuing?
💡 If YES, it’s time to let go.
Conclusion: Find the Balance Between Action and Rest
Laozi does not say “don’t be ambitious”—he warns against attachment and excess. The key to fulfillment is timing:
🌿 Push forward when you are growing, contributing, and moving with the flow.
🍂 Step back when effort turns into force, and success becomes attachment.
Like water, flow when the path is clear—and when you reach the ocean, know when to rest. 🌊
Translation and Meaning
1. “Holding and filling it to the brim—better to stop in time.”
持而盈之，不如其已
- 持 (chí) – To hold, grasp
- 而 (ér) – And, yet
- 盈之 (yíng zhī) – To fill completely, make full
- 不如 (bù rú) – Not as good as, better to
- 其已 (qí yǐ) – Stop, let go
✅ Translation:
“To hold and fill to the brim—better to stop in time.”
✅ Wisdom:
- Excess leads to downfall—whether in wealth, ambition, or possessions, knowing when to let go is key.
- Moderation is the key to balance—overindulgence leads to instability.
✅ Application in Life:
- Know when to stop pushing for more—whether in wealth, success, or power.
- Avoid overworking or overconsuming—too much of anything becomes unsustainable.
2. “Sharpening a blade too much—it cannot last long.”
揣而锐之，不可长保
- 揣 (chuǎi) – To refine, overwork
- 而 (ér) – And, yet
- 锐之 (ruì zhī) – Sharpen to an extreme
- 不可 (bù kě) – Cannot
- 长保 (cháng bǎo) – Be preserved for long
✅ Translation:
“Over-sharpening a blade—
It will not last long.”
✅ Wisdom:
- Pushing something to its extreme weakens it—perfectionism can destroy instead of enhance.
- A knife sharpened too much will break—overexertion, obsession, and greed wear things down.
✅ Application in Life:
- Stop over-perfecting everything; sometimes “good enough” is better than overworking.
- Don’t push relationships, careers, or ambitions to breaking points—balance is key.
3. “Gold and jade fill the hall—none can keep them safe.”
金玉满堂，莫之能守
- 金玉 (jīn yù) – Gold and jade (symbolizing great wealth)
- 满堂 (mǎn táng) – Fill the hall
- 莫之 (mò zhī) – No one can
- 能守 (néng shǒu) – Keep safe, protect
✅ Translation:
“A hall full of gold and jade—
None can keep it safe.”
✅ Wisdom:
- Extreme wealth attracts thieves, enemies, and downfall.
- Hoarding wealth leads to insecurity and fear of loss.
✅ Application in Life:
- True security comes from wisdom, not material riches.
- Don’t let greed trap you in an endless cycle of accumulation and anxiety.
4. “Wealth and arrogance lead to one’s downfall.”
富贵而骄，自遗其咎
- 富贵 (fù guì) – Wealth and high status
- 而 (ér) – And, yet
- 骄 (jiāo) – Arrogance, pride
- 自遗 (zì yí) – Brings upon oneself
- 其咎 (qí jiù) – One’s misfortune, disaster
✅ Translation:
“Wealth and arrogance—
One brings misfortune upon oneself.”
✅ Wisdom:
- Success can lead to arrogance, which causes self-destruction.
- Many powerful people fall not because of enemies, but because of their own ego.
✅ Application in Life:
- Stay humble in success—arrogance makes one blind to risks.
- Share and circulate wealth instead of hoarding and flaunting.
5. “When achievement is complete, withdraw—this is the way of Heaven.”
功遂，身退，天之道
- 功遂 (gōng suì) – Achievement completed, success attained
- 身退 (shēn tuì) – Withdraw, step back
- 天之道 (tiān zhī dào) – The way of Heaven (the Dao, the natural order)
✅ Translation:
“When success is achieved, withdraw—
This is the way of the Dao.”
✅ Wisdom:
- Leave at your peak, before things turn against you.
- This is the wisdom of knowing when to exit gracefully.
✅ Application in Life:
- Retire when you’re ahead—don’t cling to power or success until it crumbles.
- Step back and let others rise—a leader who knows when to leave is truly wise.
Overall Wisdom of Verse 9
| Theme | Teaching |
|---|---|
| Moderation | Don’t push things to extremes—too much of anything leads to collapse. |
| Impermanence of Wealth | Hoarding riches creates insecurity; true wealth is inner peace. |
| Dangers of Arrogance | Pride in success leads to self-destruction. |
| Knowing When to Step Away | Leave at your peak—do not cling to power or status. |
| The Dao’s Natural Flow | Everything follows a cycle—success must yield to rest. |
How Verse 9 Applies to Life Today
1. In Business & Career
🔹 Stop overworking—success is not infinite.
🔹 Know when to step back instead of burning out.
🔹 If a company or career peaks, don’t hold on too long—pivot or exit gracefully.
2. In Personal Growth
🔹 Perfectionism is destructive—done is better than perfect.
🔹 Don’t get caught in endless self-improvement—live life instead.
3. In Wealth & Power
🔹 Excessive wealth doesn’t bring security—wisdom does.
🔹 If you gain power, don’t let arrogance destroy you.
4. In Leadership
🔹 A great leader knows when to step down.
🔹 Mentor others rather than hoarding control.
Conclusion: The Art of Letting Go
Verse 9 of the Daodejing teaches one of the most valuable life lessons: Success is not meant to be held forever.
- Over-pushing leads to failure.
- Over-sharpening leads to breakage.
- Excessive wealth brings insecurity.
- Arrogance invites downfall.
- The wisest people step back at the right time.
In a world that constantly pushes for more, Laozi reminds us that true wisdom is knowing when to let go.
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