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With a little natural understanding I can walk in the Great Way,

my only fear would be to stray away from it.

The Great way is smooth and easy to travel, but people love to get side-tracked.

Just be aware of when things begin to get out of balance,

and you can remain centered in the Way.

Whenever the seats of government are very splendid,

you find the fields overrun with weeds and the granaries empty.

When officials are clothed in elegant finery and carrying sharpened swords,

and have too much food and drink and wealth beyond surplus;

this is robbery and arrogance, and certainly in opposition to the way.