Tao Te Ching Chapter 53

Translation by John H. McDonald

If I understood only one thing,

I would want to use it to follow the Tao.

My only fear would be one of pride.

The Tao goes in the level places,

but people prefer to take the short cuts.

If too much time is spent cleaning the house

the land will become neglected and full of weeds,

and the granaries will soon become empty

because there is no one out working the fields.

To wear fancy clothes and ornaments,

to have your fill of food and drink

and to waste all of your money buying possessions

is called the crime of excess.

Oh, how these things go against the way of the Tao!

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Reference: Tao Te Ching