9: Moderation in All

9

Filling all the way to the brim
Is not as good as halting in time.
Pounding an edge to sharpness
Will not make it last.
Keeping plenty of gold and jade in the palace
Makes no one able to defend it.
Displaying riches and titles with pride
Brings about one's downfall.
To retreat after a work well done is Heaven's Way.

Moderation in All

Lao Tzu ends this chapter with the expression Heaven's Way, T'ien chih Tao, instead of just Tao, the Way. Still, the two expressions are definitely meant to be synonymous...

Here is my full commentary on this Tao Te Ching chapter:
Tao Te Ching Chapter 9 Translation and Commentary