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PT. II. SECT. VI.
THE WRITINGS OF KWANG-SZE.
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who looks into it). It is a perfect Level 1, and the greatest artificer takes his rule from it. Such is the clearness of still water, and how much greater is that of the human Spirit! The still mind of the sage is the mirror of heaven and earth, the glass of all things.
Vacancy, stillness, placidity, tastelessness, quietude, silence, and non-action ;—this is the Level of heaven and earth, and the perfection of the Tâo and its characteristics”. Therefore the Tîs, Kings, and Sages found in this their resting-place 3. Resting here, they were vacant; from their vacancy came fullness; from their fullness came the nice distinctions (of things). From their vacancy came stillness; that stillness was followed by movement; their movements were successful. From their stillness came their non-action. Doing-nothing, they devolved the cares of office on their employés. Doing-nothing was accompanied by the feeling of satisfaction. Where there is that feeling of satisfaction, anxieties and troubles find no place; and the years of life are many.
Vacancy, stillness, placidity, tastelessness, quietude, silence, and doing-nothing are the root of all things. When this is understood, we find such a ruler on the throne as Yâo, and such a minister as Shun. When with this a high position is occupied, we find the attributes of the Tis and kings,—the sons of Heaven ; with this in a low position, we find the mysterious
W here, is contracted in many editions into , which some have mistaken for .
? Such are the natural characteristics of the Taoistic mind. * Implying cessation from all thought and purpose.
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