Chapter 53
使我介然有知
使我介然有知，
行于大道，
唯施是畏。
大道甚夷，
而人好径。
朝甚除，
田甚芜，
仓甚虚；
服文采，
带利剑，
厌饮食，
财货有馀；
是为盗夸。
非道也哉！
a> Had I the least wisdom I would walk the great Dao. I would fear only side paths. The great Dao is so level, yet people prefer shortcuts.
b> The court is so tainted, the fields so overgrown, the granaries so empty. Robes gleaming with patterns, belts hung with swords, sated with food and drink, goods in excess – such is to rob the destitute. Robbing the destitute is not the Dao.
A modern classroom translation, with labeled subsections for study.
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