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PT. III. SECT. I.
THE WRITINGS OF KWANG-SZE.
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question, and in consequence I have lost what I wished to ask you.' What do you mean?' 'If I have not wisdom, men say that I am stupid , while if I have it, it occasions distress to myself. If I have not benevolence, then (I am charged) with doing hurt to others, while if I have it, I distress myself. If I have not righteousness, I (am charged with) injuring others, while if I have it, I distress myself. How can I escape from these dilemmas ? These are the three perplexities that trouble me; and I wish at the suggestion of Khů to ask you about them.' Lâo-zze replied, 'A little time ago, when I saw you and looked right into your eyes ?, I understood you, and now your words confirm the judgment which I formed. You look frightened and amazed. You have lost your parents, and are trying with a pole to find them at the (bottom of) the sea. You have gone astray; you are at your wit's end. You wish to recover your proper nature, and you know not what step to take first to find it. You are to be pitied !
5. Nan-yung Khů asked to be allowed to enter (the establishment), and have an apartment assigned to him. (There) he sought to realise the qualities which he loved, and put away those which he hated. For ten days he afflicted himself, and then waited again on Lâo-zze, who said to him, 'You must purify yourself thoroughly! But from your symptoms of
? In the text * . The * must be an erroneous addition, or probably it is a mistake for the speaker's name * Literally,' between the eye-brows and eye-lashes.'
Thus we are as it were in the school of Lao-gze, and can see how he deals with his pupils.
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