The truly honest man, because he never angles for fame, does not have the reputation of being an honest man; only the greedy are eager for such a reputation.
The truly capable man does not resort to showy tricks; only clumsy oafs do so.
真廉无廉名，立名者正所以为贪；大巧无巧术，用术者乃所以为拙。
Notes
Virtue’s silent authenticity
True integrity is intrinsic — it never seeks recognition.
Pursuing moral reputation is paradoxically a form of greed — craving social validation like material wealth.
Skill’s effortless mastery
Genuine mastery operates organically, transcending “techniques”.
Relying on tricks exposes fundamental inadequacy — masking incompetence with superficial cleverness.
Ultimate Insight:
- Virtue: When ethics become performance, greed wears a moral mask.
- Skill: When method replaces intuition, ineptitude masquerades as ingenuity.
True excellence is as invisible as water’s clarity — it exists without declaring itself.
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