Tao Te Ching

Chapter 54
[Original text]

Let me [1] introduce [2] to have knowledge, walk on the road, only Shi [3] is fear.

The avenue is very barren [4], but the people are good at the path [5].The court is destroyed, the fields are overgrown, and the warehouses are very empty; wearing literary colors, carrying a sharp sword, being tired of eating and drinking[6], and having a surplus of goods and goods is called stealing and boasting[7].It's not right!
【Note】

[1] I: Refers to a man of the right way.

[2] Introduction: Tiny, slightly.

[3] Shi: Tong "meaning", evil way.

[4] Yi: Flat.

[5] Path: small path, small path, opposite to the right path and the main path, referring to the evil path.

[6] Anorexia: Too full to eat and drink.Tired, satisfied.

[7] Pirate boast: a big thief, a thief.

【Analysis】

If a person of Tao has any understanding of the "Tao", he will tend to follow the Dao and be very worried that he will go astray.

The avenue is always very flat, but those rulers often like to take some evil paths that seem to be shortcuts.The court is always decorated extravagantly, but the farmland is barren; the granaries of the country and the people are empty, but the people above the court are dressed in brocade clothes and sharp swords, are full of wine and food, and even eat their own food. Don't want to eat the food you see, everyone is rich and rich, they are the leaders of the robbers.Such a phenomenon is truly senseless!

Lao Tzu compares those unjust rulers to bandit leaders, and paints an infuriating picture: a group of people use their power and force to forcibly extract the fruits of the people's labor, making it difficult for the people to even feed themselves, while they themselves Living a life of extravagance, lust, and corruption.Such a rule that violates the law of heaven is like a building with a gorgeous surface but a decayed interior, which will collapse in the next second.

【Explanation by Famous Artists】

Mr. He Shang:
Jie, Da Ye.When Lao Tzu was sick, the king could not do the right way, so I made this statement.Let me be aware of political affairs, and I will walk on the road and practice inaction.Only, alone.I am afraid of doing something, and I am afraid of losing my moral will.If you want to reward goodness, you are afraid of hypocrisy; if you want to be loyal, you are afraid of deceitful loyalty.

Yi, plain also.Path, evil is not fair.The way is very easy, and the people like to follow evil paths.High terraces and pavilions, palace repairs.Farming is abolished, no farming is needed.The five grains are harmed, and the country has no reserves.It's easy to pretend to be fake, expensive and luxurious.Still strong, military and extravagant.When there are many appetites, there is no time.Those who have insufficient people but have a surplus of monarchs are dressed by thieves and thieves, who praise others by their deeds, and do not know that their lives are dead and their families are ruined, and their relatives follow suit.The way a person behaves like this is not the way.Re-words are also true, words of pain and injury.

(End of this chapter)