A few more lines from Zhuang Zhou constructing a three dimensional model of what is possible within the Taoist course of practice. A “true” man or woman approaches what is possible for the individual in their place and time. Sometimes I have a restful night of sleep without haunting of dreams. But not often,…
What is meant by “the true man”? The true man of ancient times did not protest against poverty, did not boast of plenty and did not calculate the effects. If he made mistakes he did not regret, and if he was successful he did not become complacent Being like this he could ascend the…
When Confucius went to Chû, Jieyû, the madman of Chû, as he was wandering about, passed by his gate, called out, ‘Oh Phoenix, Oh Phoenix, how is your virtue degenerated! The future is not to be waited for; the past is not to be sought again! When good order (Tao) prevails in the world,…
A (master) mechanic, called Shih,on his way to Khî, came to Khü yüan,where he saw an oak tree,which was used as the altar for the spirits of the land. It was so largethat an ox standing behind itcould not be seen.It measured a hundred spans round,and rose up eighty cubits on the hillbefore it…
We haveaccustomed ourselvesto believein two kingdoms,the domain of purposes and volition,and the domain of chance. In this latter domaineverything is done senselessly, there is a continual going to and frowithout any one being able to saywhy or wherefore. We stand in aweof this powerful realmof the great cosmic stupidity,for in most instanceswe learn to…
The neologism that I used was borrowed as is all language. We inherit a manner-of-speaking, labels which by mutual agreement we decide point to a thing, or an experience, or… As you can imagine any language affords an infinite number of pieces by which to “play” on the game board. Grammar, the rules of…
Under heaven there is nothing greaterthan the tip of an autumn down,and the Thâi mountain is small. There is no one more long livedthan a child which dies prematurely,and Phang Tsû did not live out his time. ~*~ Heaven, Earth, and Iwere produced together,and all things and…
‘How do I know that the love of life is not a delusion?and that the dislike of death is not like a young person’s losing his way,and not knowing that he is (really) going home? Lî Kî was a daughter of the border Warden of Âi.When (the ruler of) the state of Tsin first…
But here now are some other sayings: I do not know whether they are of the same character as those which I have already given, or of a different character. Whether they be of the same character or not when looked at along with them, they have a character of their own, which cannot…
Among the men of old their knowledge reached the extreme point. What was that extreme point? Some held that at first there was not anything. This is the extreme point, the utmost point to which nothing can be added. A second class held that there was something, but without any responsive recognition of it…
