第五十三章
益证
使我介然有知，行于大道，唯施是畏。
大道甚夷，而民好径。
朝甚除，田甚芜，仓甚虚；
服文彩，带利剑，厌饮食，财货有馀；
是谓盗夸。
非道也哉！
王弼注
英译 · James Legge
Increase of evidence
If I were suddenly to become known, and (put into a position to) conduct (a government) according to the Great Dao, what I should be most afraid of would be a boastful display.
The great Dao (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 Dao surely!
使我介然有知，行于大道，唯施是畏。
言若使我可介然有知，行大道于天下，唯施为之是畏也。
大道甚夷，而民好径。
言大道荡然正平，而民犹尚舍之而不由，好从邪径，况复施为以塞大道之中乎。故曰，大道甚夷，而民好径。
朝甚除，
朝，宫室也。除，洁好也。
田甚芜，仓甚虚；
朝甚除，则田甚芜，仓甚虚，设一而众害生也。
服文彩，带利剑，厌饮食，财货有馀；是为夸盗。非道也哉！
凡物不以其道得之则皆邪也，邪则盗也。夸而不以其道得之，窃位也，故举非道以明非道，则皆盗夸也。