In his book A Modern Commentary and Translation of Laozi, Chen Ku-ying writes that what Laozi saw before him in society was people pursuing fame, fortune and status, everyone trying to make a name for themselves, taking advantage of others and greedily pursuing profit.
陳鼓應在《老子今注今譯》書中寫道：老子眼看這個社會急急忙忙地求名、取利、爭功，大家都想出鋒頭、佔便宜、貪圖利益。