--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Fill your bowl to the brim and it will…" description: "\"Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.\" — Lao Tzu" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71f/lao-tzu-624_blunt_fill-your-bowl-to-the-brim-and-it-will-s_2840791.jpg" --- # Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep… ![“Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.” quote by Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71f/lao-tzu-624_blunt_fill-your-bowl-to-the-brim-and-it-will-s_2840791.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71f/lao-tzu-624_blunt_fill-your-bowl-to-the-brim-and-it-will-s_2840791.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71f/lao-tzu-624_blunt_fill-your-bowl-to-the-brim-and-it-will-s_2840791.jpg) > “Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.” [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Excess leads to loss; overuse dulls sharpness, so moderation preserves effectiveness. **In simple terms:** Too much of anything can cause problems. Key Takeaway Practice moderation. Themes balance moderation consequences Mood reflective cautious Type philosophical advisory When to use this quote - budgeting - time management - skill development - health habits Key Concepts law of diminishing returns resource management Questions to Reflect On - What areas in your life need more balance? - How do you know when enough is enough? A Different Perspective Over‑moderation can also stifle growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blunt/) [Bowl Brim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bowl-brim-3723076/) [Brim Spill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brim-spill-3723075/) [Knife Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knife-blunt-3723074/) [Spill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spill/) [Spill Sharpening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spill-sharpening-3723073/) ## Related quotes > [“Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill, Keep sharpening your knife and it will be blunt Care about people's approval and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-te-ching/fill-your-bowl-to-the-brim-and-it-will-spill-keep-sharpening-your-2/) [Tao Te Ching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-te-ching/) > [Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. Chase after money and security and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/fill-your-bowl-to-the-brim-and-it-will-spill-keep-sharpening-your/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Terrorism will spill over if you don't speak up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malala-yousafzai/terrorism-will-spill-over-if-you-don-t-speak-up/) [Malala Yousafzai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malala-yousafzai/) > [I don't know if it's shocking, but I'm the world's biggest klutz. I have been dancing since I was 3, and I have modeled,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiffany-dupont/i-don-t-know-if-it-s-shocking-but-i-m-the-world-s-biggest-klutz-i/) [Tiffany Dupont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiffany-dupont/) > [In my new IFC comedy game show, 'Bunk,' we actually use our intern Patrick as a human timer - giving contestants the time it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-braunohler/in-my-new-ifc-comedy-game-show-bunk-we-actually-use-our-intern/) [Kurt Braunohler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-braunohler/) > [Hefeweizen. Never drink something you can't spill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-miller/hefeweizen-never-drink-something-you-can-t-spill/) [Steve Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-miller/) > [Passion is all very well, but it wouldn't do to spill the tea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-simonson/passion-is-all-very-well-but-it-wouldn-t-do-to-spill-the-tea/) [Helen Simonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-simonson/) > [You have to be prepared to take a spill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-white/you-have-to-be-prepared-to-take-a-spill/) [Shaun White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-white/) > [The Porter Ranch situation is the BP oil spill on land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-brockovich/the-porter-ranch-situation-is-the-bp-oil-spill-on-land/) [Erin Brockovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-brockovich/) > [“For You" For you I undress down to the sheaths of my nerves. I remove my jewelry and set it on the nightstand, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-addonizio/for-you-for-you-i-undress-down-to-the-sheaths-of-my-nerves-i-remove/) [Kim Addonizio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-addonizio/) > [I've been melted into something too easy to spill. I make more and more of myself in order to make more and more of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-shaughnessy/i-ve-been-melted-into-something-too-easy-to-spill-i-make-more-and/) [Brenda Shaughnessy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-shaughnessy/) > [“..i spill into the kind of silence only Khalil Gibran would understand.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanober-khan/i-spill-into-the-kind-of-silence-only-khalil-gibran-would-understand/) [Sanober Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanober-khan/) > [It's very difficult to regulate yourself, and if you learn to do that, well, it starts to spill over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-peterson/it-s-very-difficult-to-regulate-yourself-and-if-you-learn-to-do-that/) [Jordan Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-peterson/) > [Sometimes, songs spill out of you very fast, and sometimes you have to wrangle them to the floor. But the same thing is true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-shearer/sometimes-songs-spill-out-of-you-very-fast-and-sometimes-you-have-to/) [Harry Shearer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-shearer/) > [Eventually the story would spill over into the regular media.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brock/eventually-the-story-would-spill-over-into-the-regular-media/) [David Brock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brock/) ## More by Lao Tzu > [“This is how they are able to continue and endure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/this-is-how-they-are-able-to-continue-and-endure/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Gravity is the root of lightness;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/gravity-is-the-root-of-lightness/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Therefore the Tao is great;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/therefore-the-tao-is-great/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Not seeking, not expecting, she is present, and can welcome all things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/not-seeking-not-expecting-she-is-present-and-can-welcome-all-things/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“What all men fear is indeed to be feared;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/what-all-men-fear-is-indeed-to-be-feared/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Just remain in the center; watching. And then forget that you are there.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/just-remain-in-the-center-watching-and-then-forget-that-you-are-there/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“This is what is called 'The mysterious Quality' (of the Tao).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/this-is-what-is-called-the-mysterious-quality-of-the-tao/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“If you show yourself, you will not be seen. If you affirm yourself, you will not shine. If you boast, you will have no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/if-you-show-yourself-you-will-not-be-seen-if-you-affirm-yourself-you/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“The thirty spokes unite in the one nave; but it is on the empty space (for the axle), that the use of the wheel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/the-thirty-spokes-unite-in-the-one-nave-but-it-is-on-the-empty-space/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“To know and yet (think) we do not know is the highest (attainment); not to know (and yet think) we do know is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/to-know-and-yet-think-we-do-not-know-is-the-highest-attainment-not-to/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/he-who-knows-other-men-is-discerning-he-who-knows-himself-is/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“If you are depressed, you are living in the past; if you are anxious, you are living in the present; if you are at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/if-you-are-depressed-you-are-living-in-the-past-if-you-are-anxious/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Simplicity without a name Is free from all external aim. With no desire, at rest and still, All things go right as of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/simplicity-without-a-name-is-free-from-all-external-aim-with-no/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“When gold and jade fill the hall, their possessor cannot keep them safe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/when-gold-and-jade-fill-the-hall-their-possessor-cannot-keep-them-safe/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“We listen to it, and we do not hear it, and we name it 'the Inaudible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/we-listen-to-it-and-we-do-not-hear-it-and-we-name-it-the-inaudible/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) [Explore all 434 Lao Tzu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) ## More Blunt quotes > [Jazz is not something that can be defined through blunt instruments. 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And half of all federal inmates are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-botticelli/blunt-force-didn-t-knock-out-the-drug-epidemic-21-million-americans/) [Michael Botticelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-botticelli/) > [Christie led the way - with a bulldozer. The governor is blunt, brash, and self-consciously authentic, the antithesis to what turns off today's voters:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-fournier/christie-led-the-way-with-a-bulldozer-the-governor-is-blunt-brash-and/) [Ron Fournier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-fournier/) > [The finest edge is made with the blunt whetstone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lyly/the-finest-edge-is-made-with-the-blunt-whetstone/) [John Lyly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lyly/) > [I'm a blunt person, not mean-spirited. I come from a place of love, but I'm interested in being real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-mcmillan/i-m-a-blunt-person-not-mean-spirited-i-come-from-a-place-of-love-but/) [Tracy McMillan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-mcmillan/) > [Emily and I have some funny scenes where we quarrel and it gets quite heated, the mother-daughter relationship. You know, film mothers and daughters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacki-weaver/emily-and-i-have-some-funny-scenes-where-we-quarrel-and-it-gets-quite/) [Jacki Weaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacki-weaver/) > [Rumour is a pipe Blown by surmises, jealousies, conjectures And of so easy and so plain a stop That the blunt monster with uncounted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/rumour-is-a-pipe-blown-by-surmises-jealousies-conjectures-and-of-so/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. Chase after money and security and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/fill-your-bowl-to-the-brim-and-it-will-spill-keep-sharpening-your/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Better stop short than fill to the brim. Oversharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt. Amass a store of gold and jade,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/better-stop-short-than-fill-to-the-brim-oversharpen-the-blade-and-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [There is something discordant about a team of speechwriters and political operatives hammering away to create an image of the 'real, inner' candidate. 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Man, when I was young I shoved my ignorance in people's faces.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/you-re-afraid-of-making-mistakes-don-t-be-mistakes-can-be-profited-by/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) [Browse all 322 Blunt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blunt/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. 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