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THE TEXTS OF TAOISM.
BOOK XXV.
PART III. SECTION III.
BK. XXV.
3eh-yang1.
1. 3eh-yang having travelled to Khu, ↑ Kieh 2 spoke of him to the king, and then, before the king had granted him an interview, (left him, and) returned home. 3eh-yang went to see Wang Kwo3, and said to him, 'Master, why do you not mention me to the king?' Wang Kwo replied, 'I am not so good a person to do that as Kung-yüeh Hsiû '.' 'What sort of man is he?' asked the other, and the reply was, 'In winter he spears turtles in the Kiang, and in summer he rests in shady places on the mountain. When passers-by ask him (what he is doing there), he says, "This is my abode." Since Î Kieh was not able to induce the king to see you, how much less should I, who am not equal to him, be able to do so! Î Kieh's character is this:-he has no (real) virtue, but he has knowledge. If you do not freely yield yourself to him, but employ him to carry on his spirit-like influence (with you), you will certainly get upset and benighted in the region of riches and honours. His help will not be of a virtuous character, but will go to make your virtue
1 See vol. xxxix, pp. 154, 155.
2 A native of Khu, and, probably, a parasite of the court.
An officer of Khu, 'a worthy man.'
A recluse of Khû, but not keeping quite aloof from the court.
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