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THE TEXTS OF TÂOISM.
BK, XIII.
with all things; to love all men; and to allow no selfish thoughts ;-this is the nature of Benevolence and Righteousness. Lâo Tan exclaimed, 'Ah! you almost show your inferiority by such words! “To love all men !” is not that vague and extravagant ? “To be seeking to allow no selfish thoughts !”— that is selfishness 1! If you, Master, wish men not to be without their (proper) shepherding, think of Heaven and Earth, which certainly pursue their invariable course; think of the sun and moon, which surely maintain their brightness; think of the stars in the zodiac, which preserve their order and courses ; think of birds and beasts, which do not fail to collect together in their flocks and herds; and think of the trees, which do not fail to stand up (in their places). Do you, Master, imitate this way and carry it into practice; hurry on, following this course, and you will reach your end. Why must you further be vehement in putting forward your Benevolence and Righteousness, as if you were beating a drum, and seeking a fugitive son, (only making him run away the more)? Ah! Master, you are introducing disorder into the nature of man!'
8. Shih-khăng Khi?, having an interview with Lâo-zze, asked him, saying, 'I heard, Master, that you were a sage, and I came here, wishing to see you, without grudging the length of the journey. During the stages of the hundred days, the soles of my feet became quite callous, but I did not dare to stop and rest. Now I perceive that you are not
1 The unselfishness was not spontaneous.
? We know nothing of this personage, but what is related here; nor does the whole paragraph serve to advance the argument of the Book.
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