love height, and fishes and turtles love depth. And the man who cares for himself hides his body. He loves the occult.
- There is a play here upon words.
"As to Yao and Shun, what claim have they to praise? Their fine distinctions simply amounted to knocking a hole in a wall in order to stop it up with brambles;
- They had better have left the wall alone.
to combing each individual hair; to counting the grains for a rice pudding! How in the name of goodness did they profit their generation?
"If the virtuous are honoured, emulation will ensue. If knowledge be fostered, the result will be theft.
- People will employ their knowledge against each other.
These things are of no use to make people good. The struggle for wealth is so severe. Sons murder their fathers; ministers their princes; men rob in broad daylight, and bore through walls at high noon. I tell you that the root of this great evil is from Yao and Shun, and that its branches will extend into a thousand ages to come. A thousand ages hence, man will be feeding upon man!"
Nan Yung Ch'u
- A disciple.
sadly straightened his seat and said, "But what is one of my age to do that he may attain to this?"
