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 404

CHAP. 12.
APPENDIX III.
377
not the full exponent of speech, and speech is not the full expression of ideas ;-is it impossible then to discover the ideas of the sages?' The Master said:-The sages made their emblematic symbols to set forth fully their ideas; appointed (all) the diagrams to show fully the truth and falsehood (of things); appended their explanations to give the full expression of their words; and changed (the various lines) and made general the method of doing so, to exhibit fully what was advantageous. They (thus) stimulated (the people) as by drums and dances, thereby completely developing the spirit-like (character of the YI).
77. May we not say that Khien and Khwani [= the yang and yin, or the undivided and divided lines) are the secret and substance of the Yi? Khien and Khwăn being established in their several places, the system of changes was thereby constituted. If Khien and Khwăn were taken away, there would be no means of seeing that system; and if that system were not seen, Khien and Khwăn would almost cease to act.
78. Hence that which is antecedent to the material form exists, we say, as an ideal method, and that which is subsequent to the material form exists, we say, as a definite thing.
Transformation and shaping is what we call change; carrying this out and operating with it is what we call generalising the method; taking the result and setting it forth for all the people under heaven is, we say, (securing the success of) the business of life.
79. Hence, to speak of the emblematic figures :(The sage) was able to survey all the complex phe
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