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THE TEXTS OF TÂOISM.
BK. XXIV.
on acorns and chestnuts, and satiating yourself with onions and chives, without thinking of poor me. Now (that you are here), is it because you are old ? or because you wish to try again the taste of wine and meat ? or because (you wish that) I may enjoy the happiness derived from the spirits of the altars of the Land and Grain ?' Hsü Wa-kwei replied, 'I was born in a poor and mean condition, and have never presumed to drink of your lordship's wine, or eat of your meat. My object in coming was to comfort your lordship under your troubles.'
What ? comfort me under my troubles ?' 'Yes, to comfort both your lordship's spirit and body.' The marquis said, "What do you mean?' His visitor replied, 'Heaven and Earth have one and the same purpose in the production (of all men). However high one man be exalted, he should not think that he is favourably dealt with; and however low may be the position of another, he should not think that he is unfavourably dealt with. You are indeed the one and only lord of the 10,000 chariots (of your state), but you use your dignity to embitter (the lives of) all the people, and to pamper your ears, eyes, nose, and mouth. But your spirit does not acquiesce in this. The spirit (of man) loves to be in harmony with others and hates selfish indulgence?. This selfish indulgence is a disease, and therefore I would comfort you under it. How is it that your lordship more than others brings this disease on yourself ?' The marquis said, 'I have wished to see you, Sir, for a long time. I want to love my people, and by the exercise of righteous
1 Wu-kwei had a high idea of the constitution of human nature.
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