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21 喻老第二十一

天下有道,無急患,則曰靜,遽傳不用。故曰:「卻走馬以糞。」

天下無道,攻擊不休,相守數年不已,甲冑生蟣虱,鷰雀處帷幄,而兵不歸。故曰:「戎馬生於郊。」

翟人有獻豐狐、玄豹之皮於晉文公,文公受客皮而歎曰: 「此以皮之美自為罪。」夫治國者以名號為罪,徐偃王是也。(則)以城與地為罪,虞、虢是也。故曰:「罪莫大於可欲。」

智伯兼范、中行而攻趙不已,韓、魏反之,軍敗晉陽,身死高梁之東,遂卒被分, 漆其首以為溲器。故曰:「禍莫大於不知足。」

虞君欲屈產之乘與垂棘之璧,不聽宮之奇,故邦亡身死。故曰:「咎莫憯於欲得。」

邦以存為常,霸〔王〕其可也;身以生為常,富貴其可也。不〔以〕欲自害, 則邦不亡,身不死。故曰:「知足之為足矣。」

楚莊王既勝,狩于河雍,歸而賞孫叔敖。孫叔敖請漢間之地,沙石之處。 楚邦之法,祿臣再世而收地,唯孫叔敖獨在。此不以其邦為收者,瘠也,故九世而祀不絕。 故曰:「善建不拔,善抱不脫,子孫以其祭祀世世不輟。」孫叔敖之謂也。

制在己曰重,不離位曰靜。重則能使輕,靜則能使躁。故曰: 「重為輕根,靜為躁君。」故曰:「君子終日行,不離輜重也。」

邦者,人君之輜重也。主父生傳其邦,此離其輜重者也; 故雖有代、雲中之樂,超然已無趙矣。主父,萬乘之主,而以身輕於天下。 無勢之謂輕,離位之謂躁,是以生幽而死。故曰:「輕則失臣,躁則失君。」主父之謂也。

勢重者,人君之淵也。君人者,勢重於人臣之間,失則不可復得也。 簡公失之於田成,晉公失之於六卿,而邦亡身死。故曰:「魚不可脫於深淵。」

賞罰者,邦之利器也。在君則制臣,在臣則勝君。君見賞, 臣則損之以為德;君見罰,臣則益之以為威。人君見賞,而人臣用其勢;人君見罰, 人臣乘其威。故曰:「邦之利器,不可以示人。」

越王入宦於吳,而觀之伐齊以弊吳。吳兵既勝齊人於艾陵,張之於江、濟,強之於黃池, 故可制於五湖。故曰:「將欲翕之,必固張之;將欲弱之,必固強之。」

晉獻公將欲襲虞,遺之以璧馬;知伯將襲仇由,遺之以廣車。故曰:「將欲取之,必固與之。」

起事於無形,而要大功於天下,是謂微明。處小弱而重自卑〔損〕,謂(損)弱勝強也。

有形之類,大必起於小;行久之物,族必起於少。故曰: 「天下之難事必作於易,天下之大事必作於細。」是以欲制物者於其細也。 故曰:「圖難於其易也,為大於其細也。」

千丈之堤以螻蟻之穴潰,百尺之室以突隙之(煙)〔熛〕焚。 故曰:白圭之行堤也塞其穴,丈人之慎火也塗其隙。是以白圭無水難,丈人無火患。 此皆慎易以避難,敬細以遠大者也。

扁鵲見蔡桓公,立有間。扁鵲曰:「君有疾在腠理,不治將恐深。」 桓侯曰:「寡人無。」扁鵲出,桓侯曰:「醫之好治不病以為功。」

居十日,扁鵲復見曰:「君之病在肌膚,不治將益深。」桓侯不應。扁鵲出。桓侯又不悅。

居十日,扁鵲復見曰:「君之病在腸胃,不治將益深。」桓侯又不應。扁鵲〔出〕。桓侯又不悅。

居十日,扁鵲望桓侯而還走,桓侯故使人問之。扁鵲曰: 「疾在腠理,湯熨之所及〔也〕;在肌膚,鍼石之所及也;在腸胃,火齊之所及也; 在骨髓,司命之所屬,無柰何也。今在骨髓,臣是以無請也。」

居五日,桓侯體痛,使人索扁鵲,已逃秦矣。桓侯遂死。

故良醫之治病也,攻之於腠理,此皆爭之於小者也。夫事之禍福亦有腠理之地, 故(曰)聖人蚤從事焉。

昔晉公子重耳出亡,過鄭,鄭君不禮。叔瞻諫曰: 「此賢公子也,君厚待之,可以積德。」鄭君不聽。叔瞻又諫曰:「不厚待之,不若殺之,無令有後患。」 鄭(公)〔君〕又不聽。及公子返晉邦,舉兵伐鄭,大破之,取八城焉。

晉獻公以垂棘之璧假道於虞而伐虢,大夫宮之奇諫曰: 「不可。脣亡而齒寒,虞、虢相救,非相德也。今日晉滅虢,明日虞必隨之亡。」 虞君不聽,受其璧而假之道。晉已取虢,還,反滅虞。

此二臣者皆爭於腠理者也,而二君不用也。然則叔瞻、宮之奇亦虞、鄭之扁鵲也, 而二君不聽,故鄭以破,虞以亡。故曰:「其安易持也,其未兆易謀也。」

昔者紂為象箸而箕子唏,以為象箸必不加於土鉶,必將犀玉之柸; 象箸玉柸必不羹菽藿,必旄、象、豹胎;旄、象、豹胎必不衣短褐而食於茅屋之下, 則錦衣九重,廣室高臺。吾畏其卒,故唏其始。

居五年,紂為肉圃,設炮烙,登糟丘,臨酒池,紂遂以亡。故箕子見象箸以知天下之禍。 故曰:「見小曰明。」

勾踐入宦於吳,身執干戈為吳王洗馬,故能殺夫差於姑蘇。文王見詈於王門, 顏色不變,而武王擒紂於牧野。故曰:「守柔曰強。」越王之霸也不病宦,武王之王也不病詈。 故曰:「聖人之不病也,以其不病,是以無病也。」

宋之鄙人得璞玉而獻之子罕,子罕不受。鄙人曰: 「此寶也,宜為君子器,不宜為細人用。」子罕曰:「爾以玉為寶,我以不受子玉為寶。」 是鄙人欲玉,而子罕不欲玉。故曰:「欲不欲,而不貴難得之貨。」

宋之鄙人得璞玉而獻之子罕,子罕不受。鄙人曰: 「此寶也,宜為君子器,不宜為細人用。」子罕曰:「爾以玉為寶,我以不受子玉為寶。」 是鄙人欲玉,而子罕不欲玉。故曰:「欲不欲,而不貴難得之貨。」

王壽負書而行,見徐馮於周塗。馮曰:「事者為也,為生於時,知者無常事。 書者言也,言生於知,知者不藏書。今子何獨負之而行?」於是王壽因焚其書而儛之。 故知者不以言談教,而慧者不以藏書篋。此世之所過也,而王壽復之,是學不學也。故曰: 「學不學,復歸眾人之所過也。」

夫物有常容,因乘以導之。因隨物之容,故靜則建乎德,動則順乎道。

宋人有為其君以象為楮葉者,三年而成。豐殺莖柯,毫芒繁澤,亂之楮葉之中而不可別也。此人遂以功食祿於宋邦。

列子聞之曰:「使天地三年而成一葉,則物之有葉者寡矣。」故不乘天地之資而載一人之身, 不隨道理之數而學一人〔之〕智,此皆一葉之行也。故冬耕之稼,后稷不能羨也;豐年大禾,藏獲不能惡也。 以一人力,則后稷不足;隨自然,則臧獲有餘。故曰:「恃萬物之自然而不敢為也。」

空竅者,神明之戶牖也。耳目竭於聲色,精神竭于外貌,故中無主。 中無主,則禍福雖如丘山,無從識之。故曰:「不出於戶,可以知天下;不闚於牖,可以知天道。」 此言神明之不離其實也。

趙襄主學御於王子〔於〕期,俄而與於期逐,三易馬而三後。襄主曰: 「子之教我御,術未盡也?」對曰:「術已盡,用之則過也。凡御之所貴,馬體安于車, 人心調于馬,而後可以進速致遠。今君後則欲逮臣,先則恐逮于臣。夫誘道爭遠, 非先則後也;而先後心〔皆〕在于臣,上何以調於馬?此君之所以後也。」

白公勝慮亂,罷朝,倒杖而策銳貫顊,血流至于地而不知。鄭人聞之曰: 「顊之忘,將何(為)〔不〕忘哉?」故曰:「其出彌遠者,其智彌少。」此言智周乎遠, 則所遺在近也。是以聖人無常行也。能並智,故曰:「不行而知。」能並視,故曰: 「不見而明。」隨時以舉事,因資而立功,用萬物之能而獲利其上,故曰:「不為而成。」

楚莊王莅政三年,無令發,無政為也。右司馬御座而與王隱曰: 「有鳥止南方之阜,三年不翅,不飛不鳴,嘿然無聲,此為何名?」王曰:「三年不翅, 將以(觀)長羽翼;不飛不鳴,將以觀民則。雖無飛,飛必沖天;雖無鳴,鳴必驚人。 子釋之,不穀知之矣。」

處半年,乃自聽政。所廢者十,所起者九,誅大臣五,舉處士六,而邦大治。 舉兵誅齊,敗之徐州,勝晉於河雍,合諸侯於宋,遂霸天下。莊王不為小害善,故有大名; 不蚤見示,故有大功。故曰:「大器晚成,大音希聲。」

楚莊王欲伐越,杜子諫曰:「王之伐越,何也?」曰:「政亂兵弱。」杜子曰: 「臣愚患之智。如目也,能見百步之外而不能自見其睫。王之兵自敗於秦、晉,喪地數百里,此兵之弱也。 莊蹊蹻為盜於境內而吏不能禁,此政之亂也。王之弱亂,非越之下也,〔而〕欲伐越,此智之如目也。」 王乃止。故知之難,不在見人,在自見。故曰:「自見之謂明。」

子夏見曾子。曾子曰:「何肥也?」對曰:「戰勝,故肥也。」 曾子曰:「何謂也?」子夏曰:「吾入見先王之義則榮之,出見富貴之樂又榮之。 兩者戰於胸中,未知勝負,故臞。今先王之義勝,故肥。」是以志之難也,不在勝人,在自勝也。故曰:「自勝之謂強。」

周有玉版,紂令膠鬲索之,文王不予;費仲來求,因予之。是膠鬲賢而費仲無道也。 周惡賢者之得志也,故予費仲。文王舉太公於渭濱者,貴之也;而資費仲玉版者,是愛之也。故曰: 「不貴其師,不愛其資,雖知大迷,是謂要妙。」

Chapter XXI. Illustrations of Lao Tzŭ's Teachings 1

Chapter XLVI. Moderation of Desire2

When All-under-Heaven follows Tao, there is no emergency, tranquillity increases daily, 3 and couriers are not employed. Hence the saying: "Race-horses are reserved for hauling dung."

When All-under-Heaven does not follow Tao, there is constant warfare, and self-defence against each other lasts for years without stopping, till the troops cannot return home, even though armour and helmets bring about lice and moths and swallows and sparrows nest in the tents of the generals. Hence the saying: "War horses are bred in the suburb."

Once a man of Ti presented to Duke Wên of Chin fox furs with thin haired tails and leopard fur with black spots. Accepting the guest's presents, Duke Wên heaved a sigh, saying, "Because of the beauty of their skin, these animals became the victims of a chastisement." Indeed, the ruler of a state who fell a victim to a chastisement because of his popularity, was King Yen of Hsü 4 ; those who fell victims to chastisements because of their cities and territories, were Yü and Kuo. Hence the saying: "No greater crime than submitting to desire."

Earl Chih, having annexed the fiefs of Fan and Chung-hang, attacked Chao incessantly. Meanwhile, as Han and Wey betrayed him, his army was defeated at Chin-yang, he was killed to the east of Kao-liang, his territory was partitioned, and his skull was lacquered and made into a liquor vessel. Hence the saying: "No greater misery than not knowing sufficiency."

The Ruler of Yü wanted the team of the Ch`ü breed and the Jade from Ch`ui-chi and took no advice from Kung Chi-Ch`i. In consequence his state went to ruin and he himself to death. Hence the saying: "No greater fault than avarice."

Any country, if able to preserve itself, is fair, and, if able to attain hegemony, is excellent. Anybody, if able to live on, is fair, and, if wealthy and noble, is excellent. Therefore, if not self-destructive, the state will not go to ruin and the self will not be killed. Hence the saying: "Who knows sufficiency's sufficiency 5 is always 6 sufficient."

Chapter LIV. 7 Cultivating of the Observing Ability8

King Chuang of Ch`u, after winning the war with Chin, 9 held a hunt at Ho-yung. Upon his return, he gave a reward to Sun-shu Ao. However, Sun-shu Ao asked for the sandy and stony land by the Han River. According to the Law of the Ch`u State, allotments to feudal nobles should be confiscated after two generations, but only Sun-shu Ao's fief was left intact. The reason why his fief 10 was not confiscated was because the land was sterile. Accordingly, sacrifices at his family shrine lasted for nine generations unbroken. Hence the saying: "What is well planted is not uprooted; what is well preserved cannot be looted. For by sons and grandsons the sacrificial celebrations shall not cease." Thus was the case with Sun-shu Ao.

Chapter XXVI. The Virtue of Gravity

The heavy is of the light the root, and rest is motion's master.

Therefore the superior man11in his daily walk does not depart from gravity. Although he may have magnificent sights, he calmly sits with liberated mind.

But how is it when the ruler of ten thousand chariots in his personal conduct is too light for All-under-Heaven? If he is too light, he will lose his vassals. If he is too restless, he will lose the throne.

If the ruler has the reins of government in his grip, he is said to be "heavy". If the ruler does not depart from his seat, he is said to be "resting". If heavy, he can control the light. If resting, he can subdue the moving. Hence the saying: "The heavy is of the light the root, and rest is motion's master. Therefore the superior man in his daily work does not depart from gravity."

The state is the gravity of the ruler of men. The Father Sovereign while still alive alienated the state. In other words, he departed from gravity. Therefore, though he enjoyed himself at Tai and Yün-chung, he had already slipped the Chao State off his grip. Thus, the Father Sovereign, having been a sovereign of ten thousand chariots, became in his personal conduct too light for All-underHeaven. To lose one's own position 12 is said to be "light" and to depart from one's seat is said to be "moving". Therefore, the Father Sovereign was imprisoned alive and eventually put to an end. Hence the saying: "If he is too light, he will lose his vassals. If he is too restless, he will lose the throne." This was the case with the Father Sovereign.

Chapter XXXVI. The Revelation of Secrets

When you are about to contract anything, you would first expand it. When you are about to weaken anything, you would first strengthen it. When you are about to set down anything, you would first set it up. When you are about to take, you would give.

This is a revelation of the secrets whereby the soft conquer the hard and the weak the strong.

As the fish should not escape from the deep, so should the state's sharp tools not be shown to anybody.

The position that is influential is the deep to the ruler of men. Who rules men, his position must be more 13 influential than the ministers' position. Once lost, it would not be recovered. After Duke Chien lost it to T`ien Ch`êng and the Duke of Chin lost it to the Six Nobles, their states went to ruin and they were put to death. Hence the saying: "The fish should not escape from the deep."

True, reward and punishment are the state's sharp tools. If held in the hands of the ruler, they control the ministers. If held in the hands of the ministers, they control the ruler. If the ruler shows the tool of reward, the ministers will minimize it and thereby distribute private favours. If the ruler shows the tool of punishment, the ministers will aggravate it and thereby overawe the people. Since if the ruler of men shows the tool of reward, the ministers will abuse his position, and if he shows the tool of punishment, they will utilize his authority, hence the saying: "The state's sharp tools should not be shown to anybody."

The King of Yüeh, after surrendering himself to Wu, 14 showed its ruler how to invade Ch`i with a view to exhausting its strength. The troops of Wu, having defeated Ch`i's men at the Mugwort Mound, expanded their forces from the Chiang and the Ch`i 15 and displayed their strength at the Yellow Pool. 16 As a result, it became possible for the King of Yüeh to rout Wu's men at Lake Five. 17 Hence the saying: "When you are about to weaken anything, you would strengthen it."

When Duke Hsien of Chin was about to raid Yü, he presented to them a jade and a team of horses. When Earl Chih was about 18 to raid Ch`ou-yu, he presented to them grand chariots. Hence the saying: "When you are about to take, 19 you would give."

To carry out a plan before it takes shape and thereby accomplish a great achievement in All-under-Heaven, is "a revelation of secrets". To be small and weak but willing to keep humble, is the way "the weak conquer the strong". 20

Chapter LXIII. Considering Beginnings

Assert non-assertion.

Practise non-practice.

Taste the tasteless.

Make great the small.

Make much the little.

Requite hatred with virtue.

Contemplate a difficulty when it is easy. Manage a great thing when it is small.

The most difficult undertakings in All-under-Heavennecessarily originate while easy, and the greatest undertakings in All-under-Heaven necessarily originate while small.

Therefore, the saintly man to the end does not venture to play the great, and thus he can accomplish his greatness.

Rash promises surely lack faith, and many easy things surely involve in many difficulties.

Therefore, the saintly man regards everything as difficult, and thus to the end encounters no difficulties.

What has a form, always begins its greatness from smallness. What endures a long time, always begins its abundance from scarcity. Hence the saying: "The most difficult undertakings in All-under-Heaven necessarily originate while easy, and the greatest undertakings in All-under-Heaven necessarily originate while small." Therefore, who wants to control anything, starts when it is small. 21 Hence the saying: "Contemplate a difficulty when it is easy. Manage a great thing when it is small."

A dike ten thousand feet long begins its crumbling with holes made by ants; a room one hundred feet square begins its burning with sparks of fire 22 leaping through cracks of chimneys. For the same reason, 23 Pai Kuei on inspecting the dikes blocked up all holes; old man 24 on suppressing fire plastered all cracks. Therefore, Pai Kuei met no disaster of any flood and old man met no fire disaster. Both were thus good examples of taking precautions against things when they are easy in order to avoid difficulties and paying attention to things when they are small in order to prevent their greatness.

Pien Ch`iao once had an interview with Duke Huan of Ch`i. 25 After standing for a while, Pien Ch`iao said: "Your Highness has a disease in the capillary tubes. If not treated now, it might go deep." "I have no disease," replied Marquis 26 Huan. After Pien Ch`iao went out, Marquis Huan remarked: "Physicians are fond of treating healthy men so as to display their attainments."

Ten days later, Pien Ch`iao again had an interview and said: "The disease of Your Highness is in the flesh and skin. If not treated now, it will go still deeper." To this advice Marquis Huan made no reply. Pien Ch`iao went out. Marquis Huan was again displeased.

After ten more days, Pien Ch`iao had another interview and said: "The disease of Your Highness is in the stomach and intestines. If not treated now, it will go still deeper." Again Marquis Huan made no reply to the advice. Pien Ch`iao went out. Marquis Huan was again displeased.

After ten more days, Pien Ch`iao, looking at Marquis Huan, turned back and ran away. The Marquis sent men out to ask him. "Diseases that are in the capillary tubes," said Pien Ch`iao, "can be reached by hot water or flat irons. Those in the flesh and skin can be reached by metal or stone needles. Those in the stomach and intestines can be reached by well-boiled drugs. But after they penetrate the bones and marrow, the patients are at the mercy of the Commissioner of Life 27 wherefore nothing can be done. Now that the disease of His Highness is in his bones and marrow, thy servant has no more advice to give."

In the course of five more days, Marquis Huan began to feel pain in his body, and so sent men out to look for Pien Ch`iao, who, however, had already gone to the Ch`in State. Thus ended the life of Marquis Huan.

For this reason, good physicians, when treating diseases, attack them when they are still in the capillary tubes. This means that they manage things when they are small. Hence, 28 the saintly man begins to attend to things when it is early enough.

Chapter LXIV. Mind the Minute

What is still at rest is easily kept quiet. What has not as yet appeared is easily prevented. What is still feeble is easily broken. What is still minute is easily dispersed.

Treat things before they come into existence. Regulate things before disorder begins. The stout tree has originated from a tiny rootlet. A tower of nine stories is raised by heaping up bricks of clay. A thousand li's journey begins with a foot.

He that makes mars. He that grasps loses.

The saintly man does not make; therefore he loses not. The people on undertaking an enterprise are always near completion, and yet they fail.

Remain careful to the end as in the beginning and you will not fail in your enterprise.

Therefore the saintly man desires to be desireless, and does not prize articles difficult to obtain. He learns to be not learned, and reverts to what multitudes of people pass by.

He assists the myriad things in their natural development, but he does not venture to interfere.

Of yore, when Prince of Chin, Ch`ung-erh, was living in exile, once he passed through the Chêng 29 State. The Ruler of Chêng behaved impolitely to him. Against the manner Shu Chan remonstrated with him, saying: "He is a worthy prince. May Your Highness treat him with great courtesy and thereby place him under an obligation!" To this counsel the Ruler of Chêng never listened. Therefore Shu Chan again admonished him, saying: "If your Highness does not treat him with great courtesy, the best way is to put him to death and let no calamity appear in the future." Again the Ruler 30 of Chêng never listened. After the Prince's return to the Chin State, he raised an army and sent an expedition against Chêng, routing them by long odds and taking eight cities from them.

When Duke Hsien of Chin with the Jade from Ch'ui-chi as present was going to borrow the way through Yü, to attack Kuo, High Officer Kung Chi-ch`i admonished the Ruler of Yü, saying: "The request should not be granted. When the lips are gone, the teeth are cold. Yü and Kuo ought to rescue each other, not because they want to place each other under any obligation, but because if Chin destroys Kuo to-day, to-morrow Yü will follow on its heels to ruin." The Ruler of Yü, taking no advice from him, accepted the jade and lent them the way. After taking Kuo, Chin withdrew and destroyed Yü in turn.

Thus, these two ministers both strove to suppress troubles when they were still in capillary tubes, but both their rulers failed to adopt their counsels. Thus, Shu Chan and Kung Chi-ch`i were the Pien Ch`iao of Chêng and Yü, to whose words both their rulers paid no heed. As a result, Chêng was routed and Yü destroyed. Hence the saying: "What is still at rest is easily kept quiet. What has not as yet appeared is easily prevented."

Chapter LII. Returning to the Origin

When All-under-Heaven takes its beginning, Tao becomes the mother of All-under-Heaven.

As one knows his mother, so she in turn knows her child; as she quickens her child, so he in turn keeps to his mother, and to the end of life he is not in danger. Who closes his mouth, and shuts his sense-gates, in the end of life he will encounter no trouble; but who opens his mouth and meddles with affairs, in the end of life he cannot be saved.

Who beholds smallness is called enlightened. Who preserves tenderness is called strong. Who uses Tao's light and return home to its enlightenment does not surrender his person to perdition. This is called practising the eternal.

Of old, Chow made chop-sticks of ivory. Thereby was the Viscount of Chi frightened. He thought: "Ivory chop-sticks would not be used with earthen-wares but with cups made of jade or of rhinoceros horns. Further, ivory chop-sticks and jade cups would not go with the soup made of beans and coarse greens but with the meat of longhaired buffaloes and unborn leopards. Again, eaters of the meat of long-haired buffaloes and unborn leopards would not wear short hemp clothes and eat in a thatched house but would put on nine layers of embroidered dresses and move to live in magnificent mansions and on lofty terraces. Afraid of the ending, I cannot help trembling with fear at the beginning."

In the course of five years, Chow made piles of meat in the form of flower-beds, raised roasting pillars, walked upon mounds of distiller's grains, and looked over pools of wine. In consequence ended the life of Chow. Thus, by beholding the ivory chop-sticks, the Viscount of Chi foreknew the impending catastrophe of All-under-Heaven. Hence the saying: "Who beholds smallness is called enlightened."

Kou-chien, after surrendering himself to Wu, held shield and spear and became a front guard of the horses 31 of King Wu. Therefore, he became able to kill Fu-ch`a at Ku-su. Likewise, King Wên was insulted at the Jade Gate, 32 but his facial colour showed no change. In the long run, King Wu took Chow prisoner at the Pastoral Field. Hence the saying: "Who preserves tenderness is called strong."

Chapter LXXI. The Disease of Knowledge

To know the unknowable, that is elevating. Not to know the knowable, that is sickness.

Only by becoming sick of sickness can we be without sickness.

The saintly man is not sick. Because he is sick of sickness, therefore he is not sick.

The King of Yüeh could become hegemonic because he was not sick of surrender. King Wu could become supreme because he was not sick of insult. Hence the saying: "The saintly man is not sick. As he is not sick, he can get rid of sickness." 33

Chapter LXIV. Mind the Minute34

Once a countryman of Sung came by a jade stone, which he presented to Tzŭ-han. 35 This Tzŭ-han refused to accept. "It is a treasure," remarked the countryman, "and should become a gentleman's possession but not for a rustic's use." In reply Tzŭ-han said: "You regard the jade as treasure, I regard the refusal to accept the jade as treasure." Thus, the countryman desired the possession of the jade, but Tzŭ-han did not desire it. Hence the saying: "The saintly man desires to be desireless, and does not prize articles difficult to get."

Once Wang Shou carried books on his back when travelling, and met Hsü Fêng in Chou. To him Hsü 36 Fêng said: "Any task is an act; action arises from the needs of the time; and time 37 has no permanent tasks. Books contain sayings; sayings arise from knowledge; and a well-informed person does not have to keep books around. Now, why should you carry them around?" Hearing this, Wang Shou burned the books and danced with joy. For the same reason, well-informed persons do not teach with sayings and intelligent persons do not fill cases with books. 38 This is what the world passes by, and Wang Shou reverted to it. In other words, he learned to be not learned. Hence the saying: "He learns to be not learned and reverts 39 to what multitudes of people pass by."

Indeed, everything has a definite shape. It should accordingly be put to use. Accordingly, one should follow its shape. Therefore, if reposed, one should stand on Teh; if moving, he should act on Tao.

Once a man of Sung made for the ruler mulberry leaves of ivory. 40 It took him three years to complete them. Having stems and branches, wide and narrow, and tiny buds and colourful 41 gloss, they were scattered amidst real mulberry leaves and showed no difference from them. After all, this man was on account of his skilfulness endowed with a bounty in the Sung State.

When Lieh Tzŭ heard this, he said: "Supposing heaven and earth made a leaf in three years, then things that have leaves would be few." Therefore, if you do not count on the natural resources of heaven and earth but look to one man for everything, or if you do not follow the course of reason and principle but learn from the wisdom of one man, it is the same as to make a single leaf in three years. For this reason, farming in winter, even the Master of Grains 42 would not be able to turn out good crops; but rich harvests in years of abundance even bondmen and bondmaids could not spoil. Thus, if you depend on the power of one man, even the Master of Grains would not be sufficient; but if you follow the course of nature, then bondmen and bondmaids would be plenty. Hence the saying: "He assists 43 the myriad things in their natural development, but he does not venture to interfere."

Chapter XLVII. Viewing the Distant

"Without passing out of the door
The Course of All-under-Heaven I prognosticate.
Without peeping through the window
The Way of Heaven I contemplate.
The farther one goes,
The less one knows."

Therefore the saintly man does not travel, and yet he has knowledge. He does not see things, and yet he defines them. He does not labour, and yet he completes.

Holes are the doors and windows of the spirit. The ears and the eyes are exhausted by sounds and colours. Mental energy is exhausted by outer attractions. As a result, there is no master inside the body. If there is no master inside the body, then though all kinds of good and bad luck pile like hills and mountains, there is no way to know them. Hence the saying: "Without passing out of the door the Course of All-under-Heaven I prognosticate. 44 Without peeping through the window the Way of Heaven I contemplate." 45 This amounts to saying that the spirit never goes astray from its real abode.

Once upon a time Viscount 46 Hsiang of Chao learned driving from Prince Yü 47 -ch`i. All at once he started racing with Yü-ch`i. He changed his horses three times, but thrice he lagged behind. Thereupon Viscount Hsiang said: "You teach me how to drive, but the course is not as yet completed." "The course is completed," said Yü-ch`i in reply, "but the fault lies in the way it is applied. In general, what is important in driving is to fix the bodies of the horses firmly to the carriage and the mind of the driver to the horses. Then one can drive fast and far. Now, Your Highness, whenever behind, wants to get ahead of thy servant, and, whenever ahead, is afraid of lagging behind thy servant. To be sure, when one runs a race with others on the same road, 48 he is either ahead of or behind others. Whether ahead or behind, if the mind of Your Highness is always concentrated on thy servant, how can Your Highness keep the horses under control? This was the reason why Your Highness lagged behind."

When Prince Pai Shêng 49 was planning a rebellion, once after the office hour in the government he held his cane upside down and leaned on it. 50 The tip of the cane, being so sharp, pierced through his chin. Therefrom blood flowed down upon the ground but he never noticed it. At the news of this accident, the Chêngs said: "When he forgot the pain on his chin, for what was it forgotten at all?" 51 Hence the saying: "The farther one goes, the less one knows." This amounts to saying that if one's intelligence hits everything afar, what is missed will be at hand. Therefore, the saintly man has no definite destination, but can know both far and near. Hence the saying: "He does not travel, and yet he has knowledge." He can see both far and near. Hence the saying: "He does not see things, and yet he defines 52 them." He inaugurates works in accordance with the times, accomplishes merits by means of resources, and employs the utilities of the myriad things to get profits out of them. Hence the saying: "He does not labour, and yet he completes."

Chapter XLI. Sameness in Difference

When a superior scholar hears of Tao, he endeavours to practise it.

When an average scholar hears of Tao, he will sometimes practise it and sometimes lose it.

When an inferior scholar hears of Tao, he will greatly ridicule it. Were it not thus ridiculed, it would as Tao be insufficient.

Therefore the poet says:

"The Tao-enlightened seem dark and black,
The Tao-advanced seem going back,
The Tao-straight-levelled seem rugged and slack.

"The high in virtue resembles a vale,
The purely white in shame must quail,
The staunchest virtue seems to fail.

"The solidest virtue seems not alert,
The purest chastity seems pervert,
The greatest square will rightness desert.

"The largest vessel becomes complete slowly,
The loudest sound is heard rarely,
The greatest form has no shape concrete."

Tao so long as it remains latent is unnameable. Yet Tao alone is good for imparting and completing.

King Chuang, for three years after he took the reins of government, issued no decree and formulated no policy. Therefore, one day the Right Commissioner of the Army, when attending on the Throne, made before the King an intimation, saying: "There is a bird which has perched or a hill-top in the south. For three years it has neither fluttered nor flown nor sung but kept silent without making any sound. What is the name of that bird?" In reply the King said: "For three years it has not fluttered in order thereby to grow its wings and feathers, and has neither flown nor sung in order thereby to look at the conditions of the people. Though it has not flown, yet once it starts flying, it will soar high up into the sky. Though it has not sung, yet once it starts singing, it will surprise everybody. Leave it as it has been. I, the King, understand what you mean."

In the course of half a year, the King began to administer the state affairs himself, abolishing ten things, establishing nine things, censuring five chief vassals, and appointing six hitherto unknown personages to office, with the immediate result that the state became very orderly. In the meantime he raised an army to punish Ch`i and defeated them at Hsü-chou. 53 Then he triumphed over Chin at Ho-yung and called a conference of the feudal lords in Sung, till he attained Hegemony in All-under-Heaven. Thus, King Chuang never did good in a small way, 54 wherefore he accomplished a great achievement. Hence the saying: "The largest vessel becomes complete slowly, the loudest sound is rarely heard."

Chapter XXXIII. The Virtue of Discrimination

One who knows others is clever, but one who knows himself is englightened.

One who conquers others is powerful, but one who conquers himself is mighty.

One who knows contentment is rich and one who pushes with vigour has will.

One who loses not his place endures.

One who may die but will not perish, has life everlasting.

When King Chuang of Ch`u was thinking of attacking Yüeh, Chuang Tzŭ admonished him, asking: "For what reason is Your Majesty going to attack Yüeh?" "It is because its government is disorderly and its army weak," replied the King. "Thy servant is afraid," said Chuang Tzŭ, "Your Majesty's wisdom is like eyes able to see over one hundred steps away but unable to see their own eyelashes. Since Your Majesty's troops were defeated by Ch`in and Chin, Ch`u has lost a territory of several hundred li. This proves the weakness of her army. Again, Chuang Ch`iao has dared robberies within the boundaries of the state, but no magistrate has been able to stop him. This proves the disorder of her government. Thus, Your Majesty has been suffering not less weakness and disorder than Yüeh and yet wants to attack Yüeh. This proves that Your Majesty's wisdom is like the eyes." Thereupon the King gave up the plan. Therefore, the difficulty of knowledge lies not in knowing others but in knowing oneself. Hence the saying: "One who knows himself is enlightened."

Once, when Tzŭ-hsia saw Tsêng Tzŭ, Tsêng Tzŭ asked, "Why have you become so stout?" "Because I have been victorious in warfare," replied Tzŭ-hsia. "What do you mean by that?" asked Tsêng Tzŭ. In reply Tzŭ-hsia said: "Whenever I went in and saw the virtue of the early kings I rejoiced in it. Whenever I went out and saw the pleasure of the rich and noble I rejoiced in it, too. These two conflicting attractions waged a war within my breast. When victory and defeat still hung in the balance, I was thin. Since the virtue of the early kings won the war, I have become stout." Therefore the difficulty of volition lies not in conquering others but in conquering oneself. Hence the saying: "One who conquers himself is mighty."

Chapter XXVII. The Function of Skill

"Good Travellers leave no trace nor track,
Good speakers show no fault nor lack,
Good counters need no counting rack.

"Good lockers bolting bars need not,
Yet none their locks can loose.
Good binders need no string nor knot,
Yet none unties their noose."

Therefore the saintly man is always a good saviour of man, for there are no outcast people. He is always a good saviour of things, for there are no outcast things. This is called applied enlightenment.

Thus the good man does not respect multitudes of men. The bad man respects the people's wealth. Who does not esteem multitudes nor is charmed by their wealth, though his knowledge be greatly confused, he must be recognized as profoundly mysterious.

Of old, there were carved jade plates in Chou. Once Chow sent Chiao Li to get them, but King Wên would not give them away. Later, Fei Chung came for them, whereupon King Wên gave them out. It was because Chiao Li was worthy and Fei Chung was not a follower of Tao. Inasmuch as Chou disliked to see any worthy man advancing his career under King Chow, King Wên gave Fei Chung the plates. King Wên raised T`ai-kung Wang from the bank of the Wei River because he held him in high esteem, and presented Fei Chung with the jade plates because he loved his usefulness. Hence the saying: "Who does not esteem multitudes nor is charmed by their wealth, though his knowledge be greatly confused, he must be recognized as profoundly mysterious."

Notes

1. 喻老. This chapter contains Han Fei Tzŭ's illustrations of certain teachings selected from Lao Tzŭ's Tao Teh Ching. Compared with the preceding one it has many facts adduced in illustration of Lao Tzŭ's ideas while the content of the preceding chapter is largely composed of Han Fei Tzŭ's interpretations of and commentaries on the Old Philosopher's teachings. As the text of every chapter that Han Fei Tzŭ commented in the preceding work has already been added before each commentary, in this work I have added only the texts of new chapters.

2. Vide supra, p. 187. Italics my addition, and so throughout this chapter.

3. With Ku Kuang-ts`ê 曰 should be 日.

4. As he had practised benevolence and righteousness, thirty-six feudal states situated between the Yangtse River and the Huai River obeyed him. Therefore, King Mu (1001-946 b.c.) of Chou ordered Ch`u to punish Hsü. King Yen, as he loved the people, refused to offer resistance, till his forces were completely routed by Ch`u.

5. In accordance with Lao Tzŭ's text 足 should be supplied below 之.

6. Likewise, 為 should be 常.

7. Wang Hsien-shen's note has 五十三 in place of 五十四. I disagree with him.

8. Vide supra, pp. 203-4.

9. In 597 b.c.

10. With Ku Kuang-ts`ê 邦 should be 封.

11. The modern edition of Lao Tzŭ's text has 聖人 in place of 君子. With Ku it is wrong.

12. The English word "position" is probably the nearest possible equivalent of 勢 as used by Han Fei Tzŭ throughout his works, which Chinese word implies both "influence" subjectively and "circumstance" objectively. To Professor M. S. Bates I owe this rendering (vide infra, Chap. XL).

13. Wang Hsien-shen thought 間 was a mistake for 上.

14. In 494 b.c.

15. Both were rivers, the former referring to the Yangtse and the latter running in the lower valley of the Yellow River.

16. In 482 b.c.

17. In 478 b.c. Lake Five was the present T`ai Lake near Soochow.

18. With Wang Hsien-shen 欲 should be supplied below 將.

19. Lao Tzŭ's text has 奪 in place of 取.

20. With Ku Kuang-ts`ê 而重自卑謂損弱勝強也 should read 而重自卑損,之謂弱勝強也.

21. With Wang Hsien-shen there seem hiatuses below this sentence.

22. With Wang Yin-chi 煙 should be 熛.

23. With Ku Kuang-ts`ê 曰 below 故 is superfluous.

24. 丈人 means 老人. In the Book of Shih Tzŭ, it is said: "He who is old in age plasters cracks and takes precautions against chimneys, wherefore throughout his life he meets no fire disaster. This, however, he never knows to regard as virtue."

25. The Historical Records has 齊桓公 in place of 蔡桓公.

26. Marquis Huan should be Duke Huan and so throughout the illustration.

27. 司命 was the name of a star supposed to superintend the life-anddeath problem of every mortal.

28. With Ku Kuang-ts`ê 曰 below 故 is superfluous.

29. Chap. X has 曹 in place of 鄭.

30. With Wang Hsien-shen 公 should be 君.

31. With Wang Hsien-shen 洗馬 means 先馬.

32. With Lu Wên-shao and Ku Kuang-ts`ê 王門 should be 玉門. With Kao Hêng, this incident was more legendary than actual, however.

33. Instead of 以其不病,是以無病 Lao Tzŭ's text reads 以其病病,是以不病, With Wang Hsien-shen the passage as rendered by Han Fei Tzŭ means: "As he never thought it worth being sick of, he could get rid of sickness."

34. Vide supra, pp. 215-16.

35. This must not have been the Tzŭ-han of Chêng but a different person.

36. With Ku Kuang-ts`ê and Wang Hsien-shen 塗 is a mistake for 徐.

37. With Wang Wei and Wang Hsien-shen 知 above 者 should be 時.

38. With Wang Hsien-ch`ien 書 below 藏 should be above it.

39. Lao Tzŭ's text has no 歸 below 復.

40. The Book of Lieh Tzŭ reads 玉 for 象.

41. With Kao Hêng 繁 above 澤 should be 顏.

42. His name was Ch`i. He taught the people the cultivation of grains at the time of Emperor Yao, and was a remote ancestor of the rulers of the Chou Dynasty.

43. Lao Tzŭ's text has 輔 for 恃.

44. Lao Tzŭ's text has no 可以 above 知 in both sentences.

45. Lao Tzŭ's text has no 可以 above 知 in both sentences.

46. I read 主 for 子.

47. With Ku Kuang-ts`ê and Wang Hsien-shen 於 should be supplied above 期.

48. With Kao Hêng 誘 above 道 means 進.

49. A grandson of King P`ing of Ch`u, and son of Prince Chien. While a refugee in the Chêng State, Chien was killed by its ruler. Thereupon his son, Shêng, sought refuge in the Wu State. Later, after the death of King Chao (the youngest son of King P`ing) and the ascension of King Hui in 488 b.c., Tzŭ-hsi, a half-brother of King P`ing, called Shêng back to Ch`u and enfeoffed him with the district of Yen and the title of Duke of White. Thenceforth Prince Shêng always planned to avenge his father on the Chêngs, but his plan was hampered twice by Tzŭ-hsi, till he was forced to assassinate Tzŭ-hsi and cause a rebellion against King Hui.

50. With Kao Hêng 而 above 策銳 should be below it.

51. If Prince Shêng concentrated his mind upon his plan to avenge his father in such a way as to forget the pain on his chin, it was because he was thinking of the very state on which he was going to avenge his father.

52. Lao Tzŭ's text has 名 in place of 明.

53. According to the Historical Records it was King Wei and not King Chuang of Ch`u who besieged the Ch`i forces at Hsü-chou in 333 b.c.

54. With Wang Hsien-ch`ien 害 between 小 and 善 is superfluous.

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