If he could only roam empty through life, who would be able to injure him?"
- With his mind in a negative state, closed to all impressions conveyed within by the senses from without.
Pei Kung Shê, minister to Duke Ling of Wei, levied contributions for making bells. An altar was built outside the city gate;
- For purposes of sacrifice.
and in three months the bells, upper and lower, were all hung.
- The bell-chime consisted of a frame with bells swung on an upper and lower bar.
When Wang Tzŭ Ch'ing Chi
- Minister to the ruling House of Chou.
saw them, he asked, saying, "How, Sir, did you manage this?"
"In the domain of one," replied Shê, "there may not be managing. I have heard say that which is carved and polished reverts nevertheless to its natural condition. And so I made allowances for ignorance and for suspicion. I betrayed no feeling when welcomed or dismissed. I forbade not those who came, nor detained those who went away. I showed no resentment towards the unwilling, nor gratitude towards those who gave. Every one subscribed what he liked; and thus in my daily collection of subscriptions, no injury was done.—
