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THE TEXTS OF TÂOISM.
BK. IV.
these cultivated their persons, bending down in sympathy with the lower people to comfort them suffering (as they did) from their oppressors, and on their account opposing their superiors. On this account, because they so ordered their conduct, their rulers compassed their destruction :-such regard had they for their own fame. (Again), Yao anciently attacked (the states of) Zhung-kih 1 and Hsü-âo !, and Yü attacked the ruler of Ha? Those states were left empty, and with no one to continue their population, the people being exterminated. They had engaged in war without ceasing; their craving for whatever they could get was insatiable. And this (ruler of Wei) is, like them, one who craves after fame and greater substance ;—have you not heard it ? Those sages were not able to overcome the thirst for fame and substance ;-how much less will you be able to do so! Nevertheless you must have some ground (for the course which you wish to take); pray try and tell it to me.'
Yen Hui said, “May I go, doing so in uprightness and humility, using also every endeavour to be uniform (in my plans of operation)?' 'No, indeed!' was the reply. How can you do so ? This man makes a display? of being filled to overflowing (with virtue), and has great self-conceit. His feelings are not to be determined from his countenance. Ordinary men do not (venture to) oppose him, and he proceeds from the way in which he affects them
1 See in par. 7, Book II, where Hsü-âo is mentioned, though not Zhung-kih. See the Shû, III, ii.
? I take here as = ;-a meaning given in the Khang-hsî dictionary.
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