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BK. II.
ANALYSES OF BOOKS OF KWANG-8ZE.
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incompatible with usefulness. As a caution against this, we have, in paragraph 7, the salve to keep the hands from being chapped ;;-a Great thing when used properly, but of little value when not so used. Let those who exercise their minds look at this:-should they not seek to be useful, and so become Great? We have also the weasel and the yak, the one of which gets into trouble by its being of use, while the other escapes harm by its being of no use. Let those who have work to do in the world look at this. The Great calabash and the Great tree are, each of them, a phăng: why may we not abandon ourselves to our natural feeling of enjoyment in connexion with them? Let men be satisfied with their Greatness and seek for nothing more.
As to the style of the Book, the sudden statement and the sudden proof; the sudden illustration and the sudden reasoning; the decision, made to appear as no decision; the connexion, now represented as no connexion; the repetition, turning out to be no repetition :-these features come and go on the paragraphs, like the clouds in the open firmament, changing every moment and delightful to behold.
Lû Fang-hû describes it well:-'The guiding thread in the unspun floss; the snake sleeping in the grass.'
BOOK II.
In writings intended to throw light on the Tâo we find many different views, affirmations on one side and denials on the other. These may be called Controversies, and the reason why they are not adjusted is that every one will hold fast to his own view. But every peculiar view arises from the holder's knowledge. Such knowledge, however, tends to the injury of his mind, and serves no purpose, good or bad, in illustrating the nature of the Tâo ;-it only increases the confusion of controversy. Hence when we wish to adjust controversies, we must use our knowledge well; and to use our knowledge well, we must stop at the point beyond which it does not extend.
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