Religion
Chapter 53
Translated by James Legge (1891) · From The Tao Teh King (1891)
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!
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Codex Note
Prose translation of a largely rhymed original, with occasional rhymed renderings by Legge; words in parentheses are his supplied additions.
Cite this poem
MLA
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 53.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/52/.
Chicago
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 53.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/52/.
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