Line by Line - Verse 9, Line 3

When gold and jade fill the hall, their possessor cannot keep them safe.
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

Amass a store of gold and jade, and no one can protect it.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

Gold and jade fill up the room No one is able to protect them
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

If you hoard wealth, you fall into its clutches.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

Human history is the story of trying to keep the have nots away from the haves. When we amass worldly wealth and dangle it in front of others, we engender the desire for others to want what we have. Consequently, the greater the wealth someone accumulates, the more insecure they feel about maintaining control of it. In our constant drive to feel safe and protected, we create the very circumstance that leaves us feeling ever exposed and in danger.

Ironically, those individuals who amass the essence of Tao are never in danger. There is nothing for others to covet or steal.

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