Daodejing Part Nine

LYRICS: Hold the cup — too full, it spills, Gold and jade on endless hills. All you gather fades away, Stop before the close of day. Rich in pride, the heart decays, Empty hands will find the Way. Let it go, let it fall, Nothing lasts, and that is all. When the work is done, withdraw — That is Heaven’s silent law. Moon in fullness starts to wane, Joy fulfilled becomes the pain. Every crest will meet the ground, Echo fades, though once it sound. Give, not grasp, and peace remains, Leave the name — no loss, no chains. Let it go, let it fall, Nothing lasts, and that is all. When the work is done, withdraw — That is Heaven’s silent law. Quiet heart, return to rest, Empty mind, the Way is blessed. What you keep will pass in time, What you yield becomes divine. In the stillness, breath and sound, Circle ends — and all is found. Let it go, let it fall, Nothing lasts, and that is all. When the work is done, withdraw — That is Heaven’s silent law. Let it go… let it fade… Moonlight flows, the edges shade. No desire, no rise, no fall — Heaven moves through nothing… all. Let it go… let it fall… That is Heaven’s silent call. DAODEJING PART NINE: It is better to leave a vessel unfilled, than to attempt to carry it when it is full. If you keep feeling a point that has been sharpened, the point cannot long preserve its sharpness. When gold and jade fill the hall, their possessor cannot keep them safe. When wealth and honours lead to arrogancy, this brings its evil on itself. When the work is done, and one's name is becoming distinguished, to withdraw into obscurity is the way of Heaven.