53

"If only I could have a little knowledge, I would walk in the Great Tao, Being afraid only of acting on it.* The Great Tao is very smooth, But people prefer the by-paths;** The court is very well kept;*3* The fields are full of weeds; And the granaries are extremely empty.*4* To wear embroidered clothes, To carry sharp weapons, To be satiated in food and drink, And to have excessive treasures and goods - This is called robbery and extravagance. Really, this is not Tao.*5*"