| Original | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Were I detached and had knowledge, | |
| walking the Great Way, | |
| only its application would I fear. | |
| The Great Way is very level, | |
| yet people prefer shortcuts. | |
| The courts are very vacant, | |
| the fields are very overgrown, | |
| the granaries are very empty; | |
| wearing patterned silks, | |
| girding sharp swords, | |
| sated with food and drink, | |
| wealth and goods in excess; | |
| this is called the boasting thief. | |
| How contrary to the Way! |
cause; make; send; envoy; use
I; me; my; myself
between; mediate; introduce; separate; intermediary
burn; thus; so; correct; [suffix] -ly/-like
have; possess; exist; there is/are; present
know; recognize; understand; knowledge; wisdom
walk; go; conduct; behavior; line; row; carry out
in; at; on; from; to; than; regarding
big; large; great; adult; major; high-ranking
road; path; way; method; principle; to speak; to lead
only; sole; alone; yes; indeed
execute; apply; bestow; carry out; exert
right; correct; this; to be
fear; dread; awe; be afraid
very; exceedingly; extreme; grave; excessive
barbarian; level; flatten; destroy; peaceful
and; but; yet; while; moreover
people; citizens; subjects; commoners; populace
good; fine; pleasing; to like; fond of
path; lane; shortcut; direct; method
morning; dawn; court; to face; to turn toward
remove; eliminate; divide; exclude; except
field; farmland; cultivated plot; agricultural land
weed; overgrown; waste land; neglected
granary; storehouse; treasury; to store; to hoard
empty; void; hollow; false; frail; vain
clothing; wear; obey; submit; take (medicine)
writing; pattern; literature; culture; refined
multi-colored silk; variegated fabric; ornate; embroidered
belt; sash; carry; bring; lead; zone
sharp; profit; benefit; advantageous; smooth; facilitate
sword; double-edged blade; to pierce/cut
loathe; weary of; satiated; shun
drink; swallow; beverage; absorb
food; eat; feed; meal; sustenance
wealth; riches; money; property; resources
goods; merchandise; wealth; to accuse; to speak
surplus; remainder; remaining; to be left over
call; say; mean; refer to
steal; thief; rob; plunder
boast; exaggerate; praise; overstate
not; wrong; to blame; non respectively
also; too; likewise; [final particle of assertion]
exclamation; question particle; indeed; how...!