Who Knows Enough Is Never Disgraced

answered by Tao Te Ching, ch. 44

기원전 6~4세기

🎬 TODAY'S FILM — IT ASKS THIS

Ugetsu (1953)

dir. Kenji Mizoguchi · Japan

A man leaves home chasing the illusion of wealth and success. While he pursues the empty thing, the love that quietly waited for him fades away. Between the yearning for something better and keeping what one already has, which is real life?

THE QUESTION THE FILM ASKS

One who chases something greater and loses the most precious love already at their side — what did they fail to know?

📜 THE CLASSIC'S ANSWER

💡 TL;DR

Laozi said, "Who knows enough is never disgraced; who knows when to stop is never in danger." The heart that chases something greater has no end, and it blinds us to the precious thing at our side.

📝The Classic Answers

Laozi said, "Who knows enough is never disgraced; who knows when to stop is never in danger." The heart that chases something greater has no end, and it blinds us to the precious thing at our side. Only after losing it in pursuit of an illusion do we realize the love we already had was everything. I refuse to lose what I have by chasing what I lack. To cherish, today, the person already beside me — that is the only way to forestall belated regret.

— ONGO · Curator

🌱Apply It Today

If chasing something greater made you neglect someone, turn back to them today and express your gratitude.

📖 Classic Source: Tao Te Ching, ch. 44.
The film is honored as an equal questioner; its plot is rendered only as a universal dilemma. The classic source is an ancient text (Public Domain), and the reflection is 100% original ONGO content.