第五十三章
Chapter 53
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，财货有余，是为盗夸。非道也哉！
If I had just a little understanding, I would walk on the great path, and my only fear would be straying from it. The great path is very smooth, but people love the byways. The court is splendid, while the fields are overgrown and the granaries are empty. Wearing ornate clothes, carrying sharp swords, gorging on food and drink, possessing wealth in excess — this is called the pride of robbers. How contrary to the Tao!
白话译文
假如我稍有认识，在大道上行走，我唯一害怕的就是走上邪路。大道非常平坦，但人们偏爱走捷径。朝廷非常奢华，田地十分荒芜，仓库十分空虚。穿着华丽的衣服，佩带锋利的宝剑，吃腻了精美的食物，占有多余的财富，这就是强盗头子啊！这是多么不合道啊！
AI 解读
这是老子对统治阶层最直接的批判：朝廷华美而田地荒芜、仓库空虚，说明统治者在掠夺民众的劳动成果。老子毫不客气地称之为'盗夸'——强盗头子的炫耀。大道本是平坦的，是人的贪欲让他们偏离了正路。