| | The people's discussions are always inclined to value integrity and humility while despising wealth and profit; yet when it comes to their actions, many abandon integrity and eagerly pursue personal gain. They only know that those things can benefit themselves, yet they do not realize that by obtaining them, they too will become objects of others' pursuit for profit. They know that tallow and wax can illuminate a lamp, yet they do not realize that an excessive amount will instead cause darkness. They know that profit can please themselves, but they do not know that when it is claimed, it must necessarily be possessed by someone else. The predecessors fell ill from it, and the successors competed for it; this is the utmost foolishness and decline of the common people. Therefore, I sigh and say: Why not observe carefully? I wish to take the Dao as a mirror, not water. The elephant is burned because of its tusk; the clam has its body split open because of its pearl; An ordinary man, though innocent, bears guilt for holding a precious jade. Alas! What can one say? Those who are rich and noble without virtue may indeed be pitied in advance.
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