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

'To take to one's self unrighteous wealth is like satisfying one's hunger with putrid food{fr. 3}, or one's thirst with poisoned wine. It gives a temporary relief, indeed, but death also follows it. 'Now when the thought of doing good has arisen in a man's mind, though the good be not yet done, the good Spirits are in attendance on him. Or, if the thought of doing evil has arisen, though the evil be not yet done, the bad Spirits are in attendance on him. 'If one have, indeed, done deeds of wickedness, but afterwards alters his way and repents, resolved not to do anything wicked, but to practise reverently {fn. 1. These sentences are rather weak. Nothing is said of any recompense to the parties who have been robbed. The thief is punished by the death of others, or the loss of property.} {fn. 2. A somewhat perplexing sentence. Julien gives for it:--'Ceux qui font périr des hommes innocens ressemblent à des ennemis qui échangent leurs armes et se tuent les uns les autres;' and Watters:--'Those who put others to death wrongly are like men who exchange arms and slay each other.'} {fn. 3. Literally, 'soaked food that has been spoiled by dripping water.'} {p. 246} all that is good, he is sure in the long-run to obtain good fortune:--this is called changing calamity into blessing. Therefore the good man speaks what is good, contemplates what is good, and does what is good; every day he has these three virtues:--at the end of three years Heaven is sure to send down blessing on him{fr. 1}. The bad man speaks what is wicked, contemplates what is wicked, and does what is wicked; every day he has these three vices:--at the end of three years, Heaven is sure to send down misery on him{fr. 1}.--How is it that men will not exert themselves to do what is good?'