Text of Confucianism Part 02

SR No.: 007676
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: James Legge
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1882
Total Pages: 2405
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 43 MB

Page 295

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THE APPENDIXES.
SECT. I.
II. The (capacity and sustaining) power of the earth is what is denoted by Khwăn. The superior man, in accordance with this, with his large virtue supports (men and) things.
1. 'He is treading on hoarfrost;—the strong ice will come (by and by):'— the cold (air) has begun to take form. Allow it to go on quietly according to its nature, and (the hoarfrost) will come to strong ice.
2. The movement indicated by the second line, divided, is ‘from the straight (line) to the square.' '(Its operation), without repeated effort, in every way advantageous,' shows the brilliant result of the way of earth.
3. 'He keeps his excellence under restraint, but firmly maintains it :'—at the proper time he will manifest it. He may have occasion to engage in the king's service :'-great is the glory of his wisdom.
first is called the Great Symbolism,' and is occupied with the trigrammatic composition of the hexagram, to the statement of which is always subjoined an exhibition of the use which should be, or has been, made of the lesson suggested by the meaning of the whole figure in the administration of affairs, or in self-government. If the treatise be rightly ascribed to Confucius, this practical application of the teaching of the symbols is eminently characteristic of his method in inculcating truth and duty; though we often find it difficult to trace the connexion between his premiss and conclusion. This portion of the treatise will be separated by a double space from what follows-the Lesser Symbolism,' in the explanations of the several lines.
I. Khien is formed by redoubling the trigram of the same name. In the case of other hexagrams of similar formation, the repetition of the trigram is pointed out. That is not done here, according to KU Hsi, 'because there is but one heaven.' But the motion of heaven is a complete revolution every day, resumed again the next; so moves the unwearied sun from day to day, making it a good symbol of renewed, untiring effort.
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