Text of Confucianism Part 01

SR No.: 007675
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: James Legge
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1879
Total Pages: 2829
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 50 MB

Page 2031

BK. XXXIX.
TÂ HSIO.
413
This is called 'knowing the root, this is called 'the perfection of knowledge.'
5. What is called 'making the thoughts sincere' is the allowing no self-deception ;-as when we hate a bad smell and love what is beautiful, naturally and without constraint. Therefore the superior man must be watchful over himself when he is alone. There is no evil to which the small man, dwelling retired, will not proceed; but when he sees a superior man, he tries to disguise himself, concealing his evil, and displaying what is good. The other beholds him as if he saw his heart and reins ;of what use (is his disguise) ? This is an instance of the saying, "What truly is within will be manifested without.' Therefore the superior man must be watchful over himself when he is alone.
6. 3ăng-zze said, 'What ten eyes behold, what ten hands point to, is to be regarded with reverence? (As) riches adorn a house, so virtue adorns the person. When the mind becomes enlarged, the body appears at ease. Therefore the superior man is sure to make his thoughts sincere. 7. It is said in the Book of Poetry (I, v, ode 1, 1), How rich the clumps of green bamboo,
Around each cove of Khi!
evidence that they really proceeded from him, nor of the other assertions of Ku. See what is said on the subject in the introductory notice.
1 This saying is from Băng-zze ; but standing as it does alone and apart, it gives no sanction to the view that the first chapter was handed down by him, or the rest of the Book compiled by his disciples. Rather, the contrary. The ten eyes and ten hands,' says Lo Kung-fân, 'indicate all the spirits who know men's inmost solitary thoughts.
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