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

{fn. 2. The Northern Peck or Bushel is the Chinese name of our constellation of the Great Bear, the Chariot of the Supreme Ruler.' The three pairs of stars, {greek i}, {greek k}; {greek l}, {greek m}; {greek n}, {greek ks}, are called the upper, middle, and lower Thâi, or 'their three Eminences:' see Reeves's Names of Stars and Constellations, appended to Morrison's Dictionary, part ii, vol. i.} {fn. 3. The Khang-hsî Dictionary simply explains san shih as 'the name of a spirit;' but the phrase is evidently plural. The names and places of the three spirits are given, and given differently. Why should we look for anything definite and satisfactory in a notion which is merely an absurd superstition?} {fn. 4. Käng-shän is the name of the fifty-seventh term of the cycle, indicating every fifty-seventh day, or year. Here it indicates the day.} {fn. 5. The name of this spirit of the fire-place is given by commentators with many absurd details which need not be touched on.} {fn. 6. Long life is still the great quest of the Tâoist.} {p. 237} 3. 'Is his way right, he should go forward in it; is it wrong, he should withdraw from it. 'He will not tread in devious by-ways; he will not impose on himself in any secret apartment. He will {lq. The way of a good man.} amass virtue and accumulate deeds of merit. He will feel kindly towards (all) creatures{fr. 1}. He will be loyal, filial, loving to his younger brothers, and submissive to his elder. He will make himself correct and (so) transform others. He will pity orphans, and compassionate widows; he will respect the old and cherish the young. Even the insect tribes, grass, and trees he should not hurt.