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38
THE TEXTS OF TAOISM.
I had rather amuse and enjoy myself in the midst of a filthy ditch than be subject to the rules and restrictions in the court of a sovereign. I have determined never to take office, but prefer the enjoyment of my own free will."'
Khien concludes his account of Kwang-zze with the above story, condensed by him, probably, from two of Kwang's own narratives, in par. 11 of Bk. XVII, and 13 of XXXII, to the injury of them both. Paragraph 14 of XXXII brings before us one of the last scenes of Kwang-zze's life, and we may doubt whether it should be received as from his own pencil. It is interesting in itself, however, and I introduce it here: When Kwang-jze was about to die, his disciples signified their wish to give him a grand burial. "I shall have heaven and earth," he said, "for my coffin and its shell; the sun and moon for my two round symbols of jade; the stars and constellations for my pearls and jewels ;will not the provisions for my interment be complete What would you add to them?" The disciples replied, "We are afraid that the crows and kites will eat our master." Kwang-zze rejoined, "Above, the crows and kites will eat me; below, the mole-crickets and ants will eat me; to take from those and give to these would only show your partiality."
Such were among the last words of Kwang-zze. His end was not so impressive as that of Confucius; but it was in keeping with the general magniloquence and strong assertion of independence that marked all his course.
وور
CH. V.
CHAPTER V.
ON THE TRACTATE OF ACTIONS AND THEIR RETRIBUTIONS.
I. The contrast is great between the style of the Tâo Teh King and the Books of Kwang-ze and that of the Kan Ying Phien, a translation of which is Peculiar style and nature of now submitted as a specimen of the Texts of the Kan Ying Tâoism. The works of Lâo and Kwang stand Phien.
alone in the literature of the system. What
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