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PT. III. Sect. III.
THE WRITINGS OF KWANG-SZE.
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since our troops were called out, and this is the foundation of the royal sway. Yen would introduce disorder ;-he should not be listened to.' Hwa-sze 1 heard of this advice, and, greatly disapproving of it, said (to the king), 'He who shows his skill in saying “Attack Khi” would produce disorder ; and he who shows his skill in saying “Do not attack it” would also produce disorder. And one who should (merely) say, “The counsellors to attack Khi and not to attack it would both produce disorder," would himself also lead to the same result.' The king said, 'Yes, but what am I to do?' The reply was, 'You have only to seek for (the rule of) the Tâo (on the subject).
Hui-zze, having heard of this counsel, introduced to the king Tâi zin-zăno, who said, There is the creature called a snail; does your majesty know it?' 'I do.' 'On the left horn of the snail there is a kingdom which is called Provocation, and on the right horn another which is called Stupidity. These two kingdoms are continually striving about their territories and fighting. The corpses that lie on the ground amount to several myriads. The army of one may be defeated and put to flight, but in fifteen days it will return. The king said, ' Pooh! that is empty talk !' The other rejoined, 'Your servant begs to show your majesty its real significance. When your majesty thinks of space-east, west, north, and south, above and beneath-can you set any limit to it?' 'It is illimitable,' said the king; and his visitor went on,' Your majesty knows
1 See note 5 on preceding page. 2 Evidently a man of considerable reach of thought.
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