If I were indeed knowledgeable, (I would) walk the grand path; (not) f
益證 · Yì Zhèng
Classical Chinese Text
使我介然有知，行于大道，唯施是畏。 大道甚夷，而人好径。朝甚除，田甚芜，仓甚虚，服文采，带利剑，厌饮食，财货有余，是谓盗竽。非道也哉！
Translation & Meaning
If I were indeed knowledgeable, (I would) walk the grand path; (not) following (it) is (my) only fear.
Linguistic & Character Analysis
- 使 (shǐ): cause / make / command
- 我 (wǒ): classical character (wǒ)
- 介 (jiè): classical character (jiè)
- 然 (rán): classical character (rán)
- 有 (yǒu): manifest being / cosmos / to possess
- 知 (zhī): know / distinguish / recognize
- 行 (xíng): practice / teach / walk
- 于 (yú): to / at / in
- 大 (dà): classical character (dà)
- 道 (dào): The Way / Logos / to speak
- 唯 (wéi): only / precisely because
- 施 (shī): classical character (shī)
- 是 (shì): this / therefore
- 畏 (wèi): classical character (wèi)
- 甚 (shèn): classical character (shèn)
- 夷 (yí): classical character (yí)
- 而 (ér): yet / and / but
- 人 (rén): person / human
- 好 (hǎo): classical character (hǎo)
- 径 (jìng): classical character (jìng)
- 朝 (cháo): classical character (cháo)
- 除 (chú): classical character (chú)
- 田 (tián): classical character (tián)
- 芜 (wú): classical character (wú)
- 仓 (cāng): classical character (cāng)
- 虚 (xū): empty / clear / open
- 服 (fú): classical character (fú)
- 文 (wén): classical character (wén)
- 采 (cǎi): classical character (cǎi)
- 带 (dài): classical character (dài)
- 利 (lì): benefits / nourishes
- 剑 (jiàn): classical character (jiàn)
- 厌 (yàn): classical character (yàn)
- 饮 (yǐn): classical character (yǐn)
- 食 (shí): classical character (shí)
- 财 (cái): classical character (cái)
- 货 (huò): goods / treasure / items
- 余 (yú): classical character (yú)
- 谓 (wèi): called / named / designated
- 盗 (dào): steal / thieves / plunder
- 竽 (yú): classical character (yú)
- 非 (fēi): is not / false / not equal to
- 也 (yě): [modal particle of assertion]
- 哉 (zāi): classical character (zāi)