《道德经》第五十三章
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，财货有余﹔是为盗夸。非道也哉。
《Tao-Te Ching》Chapter 53
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！
【易解】
假如我确有所知，我就要奉行大道，并小心戒备地避免行入邪道。大道很是平易，而有人却总是喜好小道。一方面是朝政败坏，农田荒芜，仓廪空虚，一方面却是鲜衣美饰，利剑随身，饱食而厌，搜刮过多的财货去浪费。这实在是强盗式的统治者，这是不合于道的啊！
道德经全文及译文