Questions of King Milinda Part 02

SR No.: 007682
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: T W Rhys Davids
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1894
Total Pages: 2240
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 38 MB

Page 1821

PT. II. SECT.VI.
THE WRITINGS OF KWANG-BZE.
341
a sage. Because there was some rice left about the holes of the rats, you sent away your younger sister, which was unkind; when your food, whether raw or cooked, remains before you not all consumed, you keep on hoarding it up to any extent? Lâozze looked indifferent, and gave him no answer.
Next day Khi again saw Lâo-zze, and said, Yesterday I taunted you ; but to-day I have gone back to a better mood of mind. What is the cause (of the change) ? ?' Lâo-zze replied, 'I consider that I have freed myself from the trammels of claiming to be artfully knowing, spirit-like, and sage. Yesterday if you had called me an ox, you might have done so; or if you had called me a horse, you might have done so 3. If there be a reality (corresponding to men's ideas), and men give it a name, which another will not receive, he will in the sequel suffer the more. My manner was what I constantly observe ;-I did not put it on for the occasion.'
Shih-khăng Khi sidled away out of Lâo's shadow; then he retraced his steps, advanced forward, and asked how he should cultivate himself. The reply was, “Your demeanour is repelling; you stare with your eyes ; your forehead is broad and yet tapering; you bark and growl with your mouth; your appearance is severe and pretentious; you are like a horse held by its tether, you would move, but are restrained, and (if let go) would start off like an
1 These seem strange charges to bring against Lâo-zze, and no light is thrown on them from other sources.
2 The change had been produced by the demeanour of Lâo-zze; the other could not tell how. Other explanations of the question are given by some of the critics.
3 Compare in the first paragraph of Book VII.
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