Sacred Books of the East Vol. 40 - Taoism Vol. 2

{fn. 1. Who was this 'Master?'} {fn. 2. The story here is found in Lieh-dze 11, 15 a, b. The Yang-dze is there Yang Kû, against whom Mencius so often directed his arguments.} {fn. 3. See the greater part of this paragraph in Prémare's 'Notitia Linguae Sinicae,' p. 200, with his remarks on the style.} {file "Book XXI. Thien Dze-fang."} {p. 42} BOOK XXI. PART II. SECTION XIV. Thien Dze-fang{fr. 1}. 1. Thien Dze-fang, sitting in attendance on the marquis Wän of Wei{fr. 2}, often quoted (with approbation) the words of Khî Kung{fr. 3}. The marquis said, 'Is Khî Kung your preceptor?' Dze-fang replied, 'No. He only belongs to the same neighbourhood. In speaking about the Tâo, his views are often correct, and therefore I quote them as I do.' The marquis went on, 'Then have you no preceptor?' 'I have.' And who is he? He is Tung-kwo Shun-dze{fr. 4}.' 'And why, my Master, have I never heard you quote his words?' Dze-fang replied, 'He is a man who satisfies the true (ideal of humanity){fr. 5}; a man in appearance, but (having the mind of) Heaven. Void of any thought of himself, he accommodates himself to others, and nourishes the true ideal that belongs to him. With all his purity, he is forbearing to others. Where they are without the Tâo, he rectifies his demeanour, so that they understand it, and in consequence their own ideas melt {fn. 1. See vol. xxxix, pp. 151, 152.} {fn. 2. B.C. 424-387.}