《菜根谭》英译（功名不求盈满、做人恰到好处）

事事留个有余不尽的意思，便造物不能忌我，鬼神不能损我。若业必求满，功必求盈者，不生内变，必召外忧。<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Whatever I do, I leave some part of it unfinished; that way the Creator will not frown on me and the ghosts and spirits will not be able to harm me. If, in the course of self-cultivation, I strive for seamless perfection, and in the course of earthly achievements I head straight for the summit, even though I incur no internal calamity, I will surely bring upon myself some external grief.

（保罗·怀特 译）

If we can leave adequate leeway in dong everything, the Creator will not frown on us, nor will the ghosts and spirits be able to hurt us. If we insist on seeking perfection in handling affairs and completion in personal achievement, it will surely give rise to external disturbance though not necessarily to internal unforeseen occurrence.

（周文标 译）