原文
公有领域企者不立，
跨者不行，自見者不明，自是者不彰，自伐者無功，自矜者不長。其在道也，曰餘食贅行。
物或惡之，故有道者不處。
王弼注
待校读物尚進則失安，故曰，企者不立。
其唯於道而論之，若郤至之行，盛饌之餘也。本雖美，更可薉也。本雖有功而自伐之，故更為肬贅者也。
河上公章句
待校读跂，進也。謂貪權慕名，進取功榮，則不可久立身行道也。
自以為貴而跨於人，眾共蔽之，使不得行。
人自見其形容以為好，自見其所行以為應道，殊不知其形醜，操行之鄙。
自以為是而非人，眾共蔽之，使不得彰明。
所謂輒自伐取其功美，即失有功於人也。
好自矜大者，不可以長久。
贅，貪也。使此自矜伐之人，在治國之道，日賦歛餘祿食以為貪行。
此人在位，動欲傷害，故物無有不畏惡之者。
言有道之人不居其國也。
Legge 1891
Public domainHe who stands on his tiptoes does not stand firm; he who stretches his legs does not walk (easily). (So), he who displays himself does not shine; he who asserts his own views is not distinguished; he who vaunts himself does not find his merit acknowledged; he who is self-conceited has no superiority allowed to him. Such conditions, viewed from the standpoint of the Tao, are like remnants of food, or a tumour on the body, which all dislike. Hence those who pursue (the course) of the Tao do not adopt and allow them.