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

That True (stillness) becomes (a) constant quality, and responds to external things (without error); yea, that True and Constant quality holds possession of the nature. In such constant response and constant stillness there is the constant Purity and Rest. He who has this absolute Purity enters gradually into the (inspiration of the) True Tâo. And {p. 253} having entered thereinto, he is styled Possessor of the Tâo. Although he is styled Possessor of the Tâo, in reality he does not think that he has become possessed of anything. It is as accomplishing the transformation of all living things, that he is styled Possessor of the Tâo. He who is able to understand this may transmit to others the Sacred Tâo.{fr. 5_1} {fn. 5_1. This is the consummation of the state of Purity. In explaining the former sentence of the fifth member, Lî Hsî-yüeh uses the characters of T. T. K., ch. 4, {img 25300}, with some variation,--{img 25301}.} 2. 1. Lâo the Master said, Scholars of the highest class do not strive (for anything); those of the lowest class are fond of striving{fr. 1}. Those who possess in the highest degree the attributes (of the Tâo) do not show them; those who possess them in a low degree hold them fast (and display them){fr. 2}. Those who so hold them fast and display them are not styled (Possessors of) the Tâo and Its attributes{fr. 2}. {fn. 1. Compare the T. T. K., ch. 41, 1.} {fn. 2. Compare the T. T. K., ch. 38, 1.}