The Path to Tao

Excessive colors dazzle the eyes,

Excessive noise deafens the ears,

Rich flavors numb the palate,

Galloping through hunts drives the mind wild,

Rare treasures tempt one to act recklessly.

Thus, the sage nourishes the belly, not the eyes,

Rejecting hollow allure to embrace simplicity.

(This chapter critiques sensory excess and materialism, revealing Daoist wisdom of "desiring less and knowing contentment." Laozi warns that overindulgence in pleasures erodes one's true nature, advocating a return to basic needs and humble living. He emphasizes that inner tranquility outweighs external possessions.)

Key terms:

- 为腹不为目 → "nourishes the belly, not the eyes" (metaphor for prioritizing sustenance over sensory indulgence)

- 去彼取此 → "rejecting hollow allure to embrace simplicity" (contrasting superficial desires with essential simplicity)

- 少欲知足 → "desiring less and knowing contentment" (core Daoist principle)

The translation preserves the poetic parallelism while clarifying Laozi’s critique of hedonism and his advocacy for minimalist harmony.