聖知為盜
Sages' Wisdom Serves Thieves
將為胠篋探囊發匱之盜而為守備，則必攝緘藤，固扃鐍，此世俗之所謂知也。然而巨盜至，則負匱揭篋擔囊而趨，唯恐緘藤扃鐍之不固也。然則鄉之所謂知者，不乃為大盜積者也？
If you want to guard against thieves who rifle through trunks, ransack bags, and break open chests, then you bind them with ropes and cords and secure them with locks and bolts — this is what the world calls wisdom. But when the great thief comes, he shoulders the chest, carries off the trunk, slings the bag over his back and runs — his only worry being that the ropes and locks are not strong enough! So what the world calls wisdom — is it not just stockpiling goods for the great thief?
Notes
This chapter extends the critique of chapters 8 and 9 into the political realm. The 'great thief' (大盜) who steals entire states is a metaphor for powerful rulers who appropriate the sages' wisdom — benevolence, righteousness, laws, institutions — to legitimate their tyranny. The famous line follows: 'He who steals a belt buckle is executed; he who steals a state becomes a feudal lord' (竊鉤者誅，竊國者為諸侯).