说苑/高上尊貴，無以驕人；聰明聖智，無以窮人；資給疾速，無以先人；剛毅勇猛，無以勝人。

高上尊貴，無以驕人；聰明聖智，無以窮人；資給疾速，無以先人；剛毅勇猛，無以勝人。

Eric Henry

One who occupies an exalted station is not for that reason entitled to carry himself proudly before others; one endowed with sagelike intellect and wisdom is not for that reason entitled to place others in desperate straits; one who is well supplied and swift in movement is not for that reason entitled to seize prizes due to others; and one who is hardy and fearless is not for that reason entitled to appear superior to others.

不知則問，不能則學。

Eric Henry

If one does not know a thing, one must inquire about it, and, if one is unable to do a thing, one must study how to do it.

Eric Henry

Even if one is wise, one must appear simple before engaging in discussions with others, and, even if one is capable, one must yield to others before carrying out an enterprise.

雖智必質，然後辯之；雖能必讓，然後為之。

Eric Henry

Thus, we can see that an officer, though possessed of sagelike wisdom and intellect, maintains himself by appearing stupid.

故士雖聰明聖智，自守以愚；功被天下，自守以讓；勇力距世，自守以怯；富有天下，自守以廉。

Eric Henry

Though his accomplishments may be unequaled in the realm, he maintains himself by yielding place to others.

Eric Henry

Though endowed with courage equal to that of anyone in the realm, he maintains himself by appearing timid.

此所謂高而不危，滿而不溢者也。

Eric Henry

Though he may be wealthier than anyone in the realm, he maintains himself through strict probity in giving and receiving gifts.

Eric Henry

This is what is referred to as “high but not in danger of toppling, full but not in danger of overflowing.