DIANJI · 典籍
Tao Te Ching · Chapter 53
A source-aware reading page for Tao Te Ching chapter 53.
Read Tao Te Ching chapter 53 with the Chinese text, Wang Bi and Heshang Gong commentary, Legge's 1891 translation, and source notes.
Chinese text
使我介然有知，行於大道，唯施是畏。
大道甚夷，而民好徑。
朝甚除，
田甚蕪，倉甚虛；
服文綵，帶利劍，厭飲食，財貨有餘；是為盜夸。非道也哉！
English support translation
If I were suddenly to become known, and (put into a position
to) conduct (a government) according to the Great Tao, what I should
be most afraid of would be a boastful display.
The great Tao (or way) is very level and easy; but people love the
by-ways.
Their court(-yards and buildings) shall be well kept, but their
fields shall be ill-cultivated, and their granaries very empty. They
shall wear elegant and ornamented robes, carry a sharp sword at their
girdle, pamper themselves in eating and drinking, and have a
superabundance of property and wealth;--such (princes) may be called
robbers and boasters. This is contrary to the Tao surely!