Stand on tiptoe high, but can't stand up; Stride fast, but not far. What you see is not clear; Self-righteousness is not obvious; Blow your own horn, you can't afford to make contributions; An arrogant person cannot be the leader of everyone. In Tao's view, these impatient and grandiose behaviors can only be said to be leftovers. Because they are disgusting things, people who have the means will never do this.
Using the metaphor of "enterprises can't stand up, but they can't cross it", it is not good or desirable to say that the consequences of "self-respect", "self-respect" and "self-boasting" are all bad. These frivolous and impatient behaviors are unnatural, short-lived and not lasting. Impatience, self-presentation, but can not achieve their goals. This chapter not only shows that impetuous and self-ostentatious behavior cannot be relied on, but also indicates that resolute political action will not be generally accepted by people. Lao Tzu used these two phenomena of life action to illustrate that some people aim too high, which is their biggest mistake. "enterprising" means high, "striding forward" means that the goal is too far. If you don't do the simplest and most basic things well, you must aim at lofty things, either asking for trouble or giving up on yourself. From the elaboration of these two principles, we understand the truth that "those who see themselves are unknown, those who are self-evident do not prove it, those who cut themselves are useless, and those who admire themselves are not long".
? Self-observation, self-nature, self-criticism and self-conceit are common diseases of human beings, and most people's psychology has these fundamental pathological states. For example, we often go to a famous restaurant for banquets. This famous chef who is good at cooking comes out to meet distinguished guests when we have dinner. We will compliment him a few words or propose a toast to him to show that his cooking is really good. Otherwise, he will be very disappointed and "suddenly lose his family"! If you say that your cooking is the best in the world, it's common sense. Although he is still tired to death with soot on his face, his heart tastes very comfortable. Therefore, Lao Tzu has repeatedly stated here that if a person has the heart disease of "self-feeling", "nature", "self-criticism" and "self-conceit", he must be able to reflect and know how to correct himself. But in terms of truth and law, these psychological behaviors are "excessive food and excessive behavior." Leftovers are unnecessary to eat. It means that a person is full and can't swallow another bite, but he still has to eat another big piece of bread, which will make him get stomach trouble and even go to see a doctor or have an operation! Redundancy, a tumor, equals goiter, and the neck will thicken. Our normal body, in any part, has a tumor, which is of course unnecessary. Just like when we cross our hands, five fingers is enough. Some people have six fingers, which are called "extra fingers". One more finger is troublesome, and gloves need to be made separately. "Things or evil", everything has a natural shape, and its variant is abnormal. Even if a plant overgrows an extra attachment, it will not only increase its own burden, but also be annoying. Besides, an ordinary person! If you are already smart, then you are smart. Why should you be added that you are too smart? Whether you are smart or not, others will see clearly. If you call me smart every day, what's the use except advertising? Therefore, a man who has a way will never do this, and there is absolutely no such psychological behavior, which is considered to be in line with the method.