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

{fn. 1. The commencements of the four seasons, the equinoxes and solstices.} {fn. 2. Many of the deeds condemned in this long paragraph have a ground of reason for their condemnation; others are merely offences against prevailing superstitions.} {fn. 3. The principle enunciated here is very ancient in the history of the ethical teaching of China. It appears in one of the Appendixes to the Yî King (Sacred Books of the East, vol. xvi, p. 419), 'The family that accumulates goodness is sure to have superabundant happiness; the family that accumulates evil is sure to have superabundant misery.' We know also that the same view prevailed in the time of Confucius, though the sage himself does not expressly sanction it. This Tractate does not go for the issues of Retribution beyond the present life.} {p. 245} 5. 'Moreover, when parties by wrong and violence take the money of others, an account is taken, and set {lq. Conclusion of the whole matter.} against its amount, of their wives and children, and all the members of their families, when these gradually die. If they do not die, there are the disasters from water, fire, thieves, and robbers, from losses of property, illnesses, and (evil) tongues to balance the value of their wicked appropriations{fr. 1}. Further, those who wrongfully kill men are (only) putting their weapons into the hands of others who will in their turn kill them{fr. 2}.