It is good to become aware that one’s virtue

Is liable to be dissipated, and that one’s wisdom

Proceeds to display itself. Virtue is dissipated

In the pursuit of the name for it whereas wisdom

Seeks to display itself in the striving with others.

In their pursuit of the name people overthrow

One another; wisdom becomes a weapon

Of contention. Both such things are evil means

And should not be allowed to have free course

In one's conduct and everyday demeanour.

If you do not comprehend the spirit of those

Whom you wish to influence, your virtue

Can be great and sincerity firm but for nothing.

You can also be free from a position to strive

For the good name if you do not comprehend

What the other men have in their minds.

But if you forcibly insist on pushing men ahead,

You inevitably injure them in this or that way.

He who injures others, setting them forth

In the strongest and most direct language,

Is surely to be injured by them in return.

It’s because the men, hating their reprover's grasp

And possession of those excellences in him,

Will put him down as doing him injury.

This way, you indeed will hardly escape

Being injured by men you’re dealing with forcibly!