第二十四章
苦恩
企者不立；
跨者不行；
自见者不明；
自是者不彰；
自伐者无功；
自矜者不长。
其在道也，曰：馀食赘行。
物或恶之，故有道者不处。
王弼注
英译 · James Legge
Painful graciousness
He who stands on his tiptoes does not stand firm; he who stretches his legs does not walk (easily). (So), he who displays himself does not shine; he who asserts his own views is not distinguished; he who vaunts himself does not find his merit acknowledged; he who is self- conceited has no superiority allowed to him. Such conditions, viewed from the standpoint of the Dao, are like remnants of food, or a tumour on the body, which all dislike. Hence those who pursue (the course) of the Dao do not adopt and allow them.
企者不立，
物尚进则失安，故曰，企者不立。
跨者不行，自见者不明，自是者不彰，自伐者无功，自矜者不长。其在道也，曰馀食赘行。
其唯于道而论之，若却至之行，盛馔之馀也。本虽美，更可薉也。虽有功而自伐之，故更为肬赘者也。
物或恶之，故有道者不处。