Below is the chapter from two excellent sources along with the original Chinese text. The first source is from a translation by D.T. Suzuki & Paul Carus in 1913 followed by a translation by Stephen Mitchell in 1988.
Chapter 53
1. If I have ever so little knowledge, I shall walk in the great Reason. It is but expansion that I must fear.
2. The great Reason is very plain, but people are fond of by-paths.
3. When the palace is very splendid, the fields are very weedy and granaries very empty.
4. To wear ornaments and gay clothes, to carry sharp swords, to be excessive in drinking and eating, to have a redundance of costly articles, this is the pride of robbers.
5. Surely, this is un-Reason.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The great Way is easy,
yet people prefer the side paths.
Be aware when things are out of balance.
Stay centred within the Tao.
When rich speculator prosper
while farmers lose their land;
when government officials spend money
on weapons instead of cures;
when the upper class is extravagant and irresponsible
while the poor have nowhere to turn ~
all this is robbery and chaos.
It is not in keeping with the Tao.
2. The great Reason is very plain, but people are fond of by-paths.
3. When the palace is very splendid, the fields are very weedy and granaries very empty.
4. To wear ornaments and gay clothes, to carry sharp swords, to be excessive in drinking and eating, to have a redundance of costly articles, this is the pride of robbers.
5. Surely, this is un-Reason.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The great Way is easy,
yet people prefer the side paths.
Be aware when things are out of balance.
Stay centred within the Tao.
When rich speculator prosper
while farmers lose their land;
when government officials spend money
on weapons instead of cures;
when the upper class is extravagant and irresponsible
while the poor have nowhere to turn ~
all this is robbery and chaos.
It is not in keeping with the Tao.
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