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PT, I. SECT. IV.
THE WRITINGS OF KWANG-SZE.
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all intercourse (between states), if they are near to each other, there should be mutual friendliness, verified by deeds; if they are far apart, there must be sincere adherence to truth in their messages. Those messages will be transmitted by internuncios. But to convey messages which express the complacence or the dissatisfaction of the two parties is the most difficult thing in the world. If they be those of mutual complacence, there is sure to be an overflow of expressions of satisfaction; if of mutual dissatisfaction, an overflow of expressions of dislike. But all extravagance leads to reckless language, and such language fails to command belief. When this distrust arises, woe to the internuncio! Hence the Rules for Speech' say,“Transmit the messageexactly as it stands; do not transmit it with any overflow of language; so is (the internuncio) likely to keep himself whole."
4. Moreover, skilful wrestlers begin with open trials of strength, but always end with masked attempts (to gain the victory); as their excitement grows excessive, they display much wonderful dexterity. Parties drinking according to the rules at first observe good order, but always end with disorder ; as their excitement grows excessive, their fun becomes uproarious 2. In all things it is so. People are at first sincere, but always end with becoming rude; at the commencement things are treated as trivial,
1 Probably a Collection of Directions current at the time; and which led to the name of Yang Hsiung's Treatise with the same name in our first century.
See the Shih, II, vii, 6.
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