Tao Te Ching 24: Stop trying to outshine others

- 24 -

Those who stand on tiptoes

do not stand firmly.

Those who rush ahead

do not get far

Those who try to outshine others

dim their own light.

Those who are self-righteous

are not respected.

Those who boast of their accomplishments

diminish the things they have done.

~

When walking the path of the Tao,

these actions are unworthy

and must be left behind.

~

Commentary

This might be termed the ‘keep your ego in check’ verse.What Lao Tzu is suggesting requires the utmost vigilance, because the actions he speaks...