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

Ch. 1. 1. If one observes the Way of Heaven{fr. 1}, and maintains Its doings (as his own){fr. 2}, all that he has to do is accomplished. {fn. 1a. Dr. Williams explains 'hsiû lien ({img 25700} or {img 25701})' as meaning 'becoming religious, as a recluse or ascetic.'} {fn. 1. To explain 'the Way of Heaven,' Lî Hsî-yüeh adduces the last sentence of the T. T. K., ch. 9, 'When the work is done, and one's name has become distinguished, to withdraw into obscurity is the Way of Heaven.'} {fn. 2. To explain 'the doings of Heaven,' he adduces the first paragraph of the symbolism of the first hexagram of the Yî, 'Heaven in its motion gives the idea of strength. In accordance with this, the superior man nerves himself to ceaseless activity.'} {p. 258} 2. To Heaven there belong the five (mutual) foes{fr. 1}, and he who sees them (and understands their operation) apprehends how they produce prosperity. The same five foes are in the mind of man, and when he can set them in action after the manner of Heaven, all space and time are at his disposal, and all things receive their transformations from his person{fr. 2}. {fn. 1. The startling name thieves (= foes, robbers) here is understood to mean the 'five elements,' which pervade and indeed make up the whole realm of nature, the heaven of the text including also earth, the other term in the binomial combination of 'heaven and earth.' According to the Tâoist teaching, the element of Earth generates Metal, and overcomes Water; Metal generates Water, and overcomes Wood; Water generates Wood, and overcomes Fire; Wood generates Fire, and overcomes Earth. These elements fight and strive together, now overcoming, now overcome, till by such interaction a harmony of their influences arises, and production goes on with vigour and beauty.}