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

'There is no one whom the world exalts so much as it does Hwang-Tî, and still he was not able to perfect his virtue, but fought in the wilderness of {p. 173} {cont}Ko-lû, till the blood flowed over a hundred lî. Yâo was not kind to his son{fr. 1}. Shun was not filial{fr. 2}. Yü was paralysed on one side{fr. 3}. Thang banished his sovereign. King Wû smote Kâu. King Wän was imprisoned in Yû-lî{fr. 4}. These are the six men of whom the world thinks the most highly, yet when we accurately consider their history, we see that for the sake of gain they all disallowed their true (nature), and did violence to its proper qualities and tendencies:--their conduct cannot be thought of but with deep shame. 'Among those whom the world calls men of ability and virtue were (the brothers) Po-Î and Shû-khî. They declined the rule of Kû-kû, and died of starvation on the hill of Shâu-yang, leaving their bones and flesh unburied. Pâo Ziâo vaunted his conduct, and condemned the world, but he died with his arms round a tree{fr. 5}. When Shän-thû Tî's remonstrances were not listened to, he fastened a stone on his back, and threw himself into the Ho, where he was eaten by the fishes and turtles{fr. 6}. Kieh Dze-thui was the most devoted (of followers), and cut a piece from his thigh as food for duke Wän. But when the duke afterwards overlooked him (in {fn. 1. Referring to his setting aside his unworthy son, Tan-kû, and giving the throne to Shun.}