Chapter 53: The Way of the Great Road
Laozi describes the contrast between the great road and shortcuts. The court is clean while fields are overgrown and granaries empty. This is called thief's boast.
📖 Definition
Chapter 53 contrasts the great road with shortcuts. The court is clean while fields are overgrown and granaries empty. This is thief's boast — not the Tao.
Source Text
Read the original alongside the English rendering
Original Chinese
使我介然有知，行於大道，唯施是畏。
大道甚夷，而民好徑。
朝甚除，田甚蕪，倉甚虛；
服文彩，帶利劍，厭飲食，財貨有餘；
是謂盜夸。
非道也哉！
English Rendering
If I had a little knowledge, I would walk the great road.
Only fearing to go astray.
The great road is very flat, yet people prefer the shortcuts.
The court is very clean, the fields are very overgrown, the granaries are very empty.
Wearing ornamental clothes, carrying sharp swords, satiated with food and drink, possessing surplus wealth.
This is called 'thief's boast.
' Not the Tao!
The Great Road
使我介然有知，行於大道 — “If I had a little knowledge, I would walk the great road.”
If I had knowledge, I would walk the great road (Tao). This is the path of wisdom.
Only Fearing to Go Astray
唯施是畏 — “Only fearing to go astray.”
The only fear is leaving the great road for shortcuts.
The Contrast
大道甚夷，而民好徑 — “The great road is very flat, yet people prefer shortcuts.”
The great road is easy; shortcuts are tempting. People choose shortcuts because they appear faster.
The Court’s Condition
朝甚除，田甚蕪，倉甚虛 — “The court is very clean, the fields are very overgrown, the granaries are very empty.”
The court is clean while the fields are abandoned and granaries empty. This shows neglect of fundamentals.
The Thief’s Boast
服文彩，帶利劍，厭飲食，財貨有餘 — “Wearing ornamental clothes, carrying sharp swords, satiated with food and drink, possessing surplus wealth.”
The rulers dress richly while the people starve. This is the thief’s boast.
Not the Tao
非道也哉 — “Not the Tao!”
All of this is not the Tao. True leadership cares for the people, not for personal display.
Modern Application
We display wealth while neglecting others. Chapter 53 suggests: walk the great road, not shortcuts.
Key Takeaways
- Walk the great road, not shortcuts
- Shortcuts lead to disaster
- Clean courts with empty granaries
- Wealth while others starve
- This is not the Tao
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Written by
Lee
Lee explains Chinese philosophy, strategy, and stories in plain English — for people who want ancient wisdom they can actually use. Based in China, writing for the world.
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