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 979

CHAP. 2.
APPENDIX III.
383
attributes of the spirit-like and intelligent (operations working secretly), and to classify the qualities of the myriads of things.
12. He invented the making of nets of various kinds by knitting strings, both for hunting and fishing. The idea of this was taken, probably, from Li (the third trigram, and thirtieth hexagram).
13. On the death of Pão-hsi, there arose Shănnăng (in his place). He fashioned wood to form the share, and bent wood to make the ploughhandle. The advantages of ploughing and weeding were then taught to all under heaven. The idea of this was taken, probably, from Yi (the fortysecond hexagram).
14. He caused markets to be held at midday, thus bringing together all the people, and assembling in one place all their wares. They made their exchanges and retired, every one having got what he wanted. The idea of this was taken, probably, from Shih Ho (the twenty-first hexagram).
15. After the death of Shăn-năng, there arose Hwang Ti, Yão, and Shun. They carried through the (necessarily occurring) changes, so that the people did (what was required of them) without being wearied; yea, they exerted such a spirit-like transformation, that the people felt constrained to approve their (ordinances) as right. When a series of changes has run all its course, another change ensues. When it obtains free course, it will continue long. Hence it was that 'these (sovereigns) were helped by Heaven; they had good fortune, and their every movement was advantageous.' Hwang Ti, Yao, and Shun (simply) wore their upper and
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