Chapter 53

使我介然有知，行於大道，唯施是畏。
大道甚夷，而人好徑。
朝甚除，田甚蕪，倉甚虛；
服文采，帶利劍，厭飲食，財貨有餘；
是為盜夸。
非道也哉！

If I had the least bit of knowledge, walking the great Way, I would fear only to stray.
The great Way is very level, yet people love side paths.
The court is spotless, the fields are full of weeds, the granaries are empty;
they wear embroidered clothes, carry sharp swords, gorge on food and drink, have wealth to spare;
this is called the pomp of robbers.
This is not the Way!