1. 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.

2. the great tao (or way) is very level and easy; but people love the by-ways.

3. 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!

使我介然有知，行于大道，唯施是畏。

大道甚夷，而人好徑。朝甚除，田甚蕪，倉甚虛；服文采，帶利劍，厭飲食，財貨有餘；是為盜夸。非道也哉！

【译文】

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！