孔子家語 現代語訳: 三恕第九

敧器以滿覆 撲滿以空全 故君子寧居無不居有 寧處缺不處完 (前 63)

When the device(敧器)* is full, it spills.
When the piggy bank(撲滿) is empty, it is intact.
Therefore, the wise man would rather to be in nothing than in possession and to be in shortcomings than in perfection. (Book1 63)

*the device(敧器) : a bowl designed to slope when full-filled

Here, there and Everywhere

If there is no problem with survival, lack is more harmonious than abundance. One who lives like this way is wise. But not easy. Why?

Vegetable Root Discourse

Source of Original Text1 | Source of Original Text2 | English Version1(Out of Print) | English Version2(Out of Print)