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THE TEXTS OF TÂOISM.
all that is good, he is sure in the long-run to obtain good fortune :-this is called changing calamity into blessing. Therefore the good man speaks what is good, contemplates what is good, and does what is good; every day he has these three virtues :-at the end of three years Heaven is sure to send down blessing on him? The bad man speaks what is wicked, contemplates what is wicked, and does what is wicked; every day he has these three vices :-at the end of three years, Heaven is sure to send down misery on him ?.-How is it that men will not exert themselves to do what is good ?'
* The effect of repentance and reformation is well set forth; but the specification of three years, as the period within which the recompense or retribution will occur, is again an indication of the weakness in this concluding paragraph.
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