第九章前两句光看文言文会很难理解，但是英译本就非常简洁易懂。这里老子强调了物极必反的道理，因此人们做事应该留有余地。能够做到功成身退的人，他的智慧就和“道”契合了。
九章
持而盈之，不如其已。揣而锐之，不可长保。金玉满堂，莫之能守。富贵而骄，自遗其咎。功遂身退，天下之道。
Stretch (a bow) to the very full, and you will wish you had stopped in time. Temper a (sword-edge) to its very sharpest, and the edge will not last long. When gold and jade fill your hall, you will not be able to keep them safe. To be proud with wealth and honor is to sow seeds of one's own downfall. Retire when your work is done, such is Heaven's way. 如果把一张弓拉满，你会希望能及时停下来（译者注：拉满弓非常费力）。如果加强宝剑的剑刃到最锋利的状态，这种锋利不能长时间持续（译者注：再快的刀也会钝）。把金银首饰堆满你的家，你没法保证它们不会被偷。因为财富和荣誉而自豪，他就种下了个人溃败的种子。取得成功后隐退，这才是天道。