《菜根谭》（种德施惠、无位公相）
平民肯种德施惠，便是无位的公相；士夫徒贪权市宠，竟成有爵的乞人。
If an ordinary person secretly stores up virtue and does charitable deeds he is as influential as a duke or minister despite his lack of fame and position. If a noble grandee does nothing but seek greater patronage, power and wealth, he is nothing more than a beggar with a titled rank.
（保罗·怀特 译）
An ordinary person who is willing to cultivate his morality and bestow benevolence to others will be esteemed as a duke without rank. A noble official who is only interested in seeking after higher rank and more favors will be looked down upon as a beggar with title.
（周文标 译）
A commoner who does good and accumulates merit is a lord without a title; a scholar official who covets power and curries favor is a beggar with a position.
（蒋坚松 译）
