Chapter 24. The honor that is not desirable
When standing on one’s toes one cannot stay still.
Going apart from your brothers one cannot advance.
Showcasing oneself one does not shine.
Conceit does not earn respect.
To praise oneself is not merit.
The one who raises himself doesn’t stand high.
These things are to the Tao what malfood and excrement are to the body. Everywhere they are despised.
This is why a human who follows the Tao does not attach himself to these.
Own translation from 1925 Finnish translation by Pekka Ervast (ISBN 951-8995-01-X) with kind permission of Ruusu-Ristin Kirjallisuusseura ry.