the symbol for “practice” is instead “follow” in FY and MWD/A; since “the ever-constant following” doesn’t make since, the line is translated this way Cross-references mother : #1, #20, #25, #59 mother of the world : #25 self : #7, #9, #13, #16, #26, #44, #54, #66 no danger : #16, #25, #32, #44 when the self disappears, there can be no danger : #16 gateway : #1, #6, #10, #56 block your senses, close your gateway : #56 returning : #14, #16, #19, #20, #22, #25, #28, #34, #40, #58, #60, #64, #65, #80 soft : #10, #36, #43, #55, #76, #78 strong : #3, #29, #30, #33, #36, #55, #67, #78 Chapter Fifty Three • 使 我 介 然 有 知 • 行 於 大 道 唯 迤 是 畏 大 道 甚 夷 • 而 民 好 徑 • 朝 甚 除 • 田 甚 蕪 • 倉 甚 虛 服 文 綵 帶 利 劍 厭 飲 食 • 財 貨 有 餘 是 謂 盜 夸 非 道 也 哉 (•) If I correctly use the tiniest bit of knowledge that I possess While travelling on the great Way, It is only walking off the path that I need to fear. The great Way is extremely even, But the citizens are fond of side paths. Although the royal court is very well-kept, The fields are very overgrown with weeds, The granaries are very empty. While at the court they wear refined multicolored silks, Carry sharp swords, Stuff themselves with drink and food, And have an excess of wealth and goods. This is called robbery and extravagance, Not Dao, indeed!! If I correctly use the tiniest bit of knowledge that I possess ♦While travelling on the great Way, It is only walking off the path that I need to fear. ♦The great Way is extremely even,A But the citizens are fond of [side] paths. ♦[Although] the royal court is very well-kept, [remove,wipe outàclean] ♦The fields are very overgrown with weeds, ♦The granaries are very empty. [While at the court] they wear refined{formal} multicolored silks, ♦Carry sharp swords, Stuff themselves with drink and food, [satiate,satisfy] ♦And have an excess of wealth and goods. This is called robberyB and extravagance, ♦Not Dao, indeed! ! Notes A : compare to #41, where “smooth Dao seems knotted” B: a play on words, since 盜 (robbery) is also pronounced “dao” Cross-references great Dao : #18, #34 Chapter Fifty Four 善 建 者 不 拔 善 抱 者 不 脫 子 孫 以 祭 祀 不 輟 修 之 __ 身 其 德 乃 (眞) 修 之 __ 家 其 德 乃 餘 修 之 __ 鄉 其 德 乃 長 修 之 __ 國 其 德 乃 豐 修 之 __ 天 下 其 德 乃 普 (•)故 以 身 觀 身 以 家 觀 家 以 鄉 觀 鄉 以 國 觀 國 以 天 下 觀 天 下 吾 何 以 知 天 下 然 哉(•) 以 此 That which is well established is not uprooted.