The Short of It:
Simplicity is safe, complexity dangerous.
53. Getting More Evidence.
Would that I were possessed of sufficient knowledge to walk in the great Tau (Way)! Only the administration (of government) is a fearful responsibility. The great Tau is exceedingly plain, but the people like the cross paths.
While the royal residence is exceedingly well kept, the fields may be exceedingly weedy, and the granaries exceedingly empty.
To wear fine clothes, and carry sharp swords -to eat and drink to satiety, and lay up superfluous wealth- this I call magnificent robbery. This is not Tau, sure enough!
53. ‘Increase of Evidence.’
53.1 If I were suddenly to become known, and (put into a position to) conduct (a government) according to the Great Tao, what I should be most afraid of would be a boastful display.
53.2 The great Tao (or way) is very level and easy; but people love the by-ways.
53.3 Their court (-yards and buildings) shall be well kept, but their fields shall be ill-cultivated, and their granaries very empty. They shall wear elegant and ornamented robes, carry a sharp sword at their girdle, pamper themselves in eating and drinking, and have a superabundance of property and wealth; -such [royalty] may be called robbers and boasters. This is contrary to the Tao surely!
53. Gaining Insight.
53.1 If I have ever so little knowledge, I shall walk in the great Reason. It is but expansion that I must fear.
53.2 The great Reason is very plain, but people are fond of by-paths.
53.3 When the palace is very splendid, the fields are very weedy and granaries very empty.
53.4 To wear ornaments and gay clothes, to carry sharp swords, to be excessive in drinking and eating, to have a redundancy of costly articles, this is the pride of robbers.
53.5 Surely, this is un-Reason.
The Long of It:
Government is a tricky endeavor, because people are easily distracted (especially those running the government).
When governments complicate simple tasks (like feeding, clothing, and protecting its people), they create the conditions their purpose was to alleviate.
-TB
