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Scope: Daoism Request type: Paragraph
Condition 1: Contains text "慈" Matched:35.
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道家 - Daoism

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莊子 - Zhuangzi

[Warring States] 350 BC-250 BC English translation: James Legge [?]
Books referencing 《莊子》 Library Resources
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[Also known as: 《南華真經》]

外篇 - Outer Chapters

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天地 - Heaven and Earth

English translation: James Legge [?]
Books referencing 《天地》 Library Resources
13 天地:
門無鬼與赤張滿稽,觀於武王之師。赤張滿稽曰:「不及有虞氏乎!故離此患也。」門無鬼曰:「天下均治而有虞氏治之邪,其亂而後治之與?」赤張滿稽曰:「天下均治之為願,而何計以有虞氏為?有虞氏之藥瘍也,禿而施髢,病而求醫。孝子操藥以修父,其色燋然,聖人羞之。至德之世,不尚賢,不使能;上如標枝,民如野鹿;端正而不知以為義,相愛而不知以為仁;實而不知以為忠,當而不知以為信;蠢動而相使,不以為賜。是故行而無迹,事而無傳。」
Heaven and Earth:
Men Wu-gui and Chi-zhang Man-ji had been looking at the army of king Wu, when the latter said, 'It is because he was not born in the time of the Lord of Yu, that therefore he is involved in this trouble (of war).' Men Wu-gui replied, 'Was it when the kingdom was in good order, that the Lord of Yu governed it? Or was it after it had become disordered that he governed it?' The other said, 'That the kingdom be in a condition of good order, is what (all) desire, and (in that case) what necessity would there be to say anything about the Lord of Yu? He had medicine for sores; false hair for the bald; and healing for those who were ill: he was like the filial son carrying in the medicine to cure his kind father, with every sign of distress in his countenance. A sage would be ashamed (of such a thing). In the age of perfect virtue they attached no value to wisdom, nor employed men of ability. Superiors were (but) as the higher branches of a tree; and the people were like the deer of the wild. They were upright and correct, without knowing that to be so was Righteousness; they loved one another, without knowing that to do so was Benevolence; they were honest and leal-hearted, without knowing that it was Loyalty; they fulfilled their engagements, without knowing that to do so was Good Faith; in their simple movements they employed the services of one another, without thinking that they were conferring or receiving any gift. Therefore their actions left no trace, and there was no record of their affairs.'

雜篇 - Miscellaneous Chapters

English translation: James Legge [?] Library Resources

盜跖 - The Robber Zhi

English translation: James Legge [?]
Books referencing 《盜跖》 Library Resources
1 盜跖:
孔子與柳下季為友。柳下季之弟名曰盜跖。盜跖從卒九千人,橫行天下,侵暴諸侯,穴室樞戶,驅人牛馬,取人婦女,貪得忘親,不顧父母兄弟,不祭先祖。所過之邑,大國守城,小國入保,萬民苦之。
The Robber Zhi:
Confucius was on terms of friendship with Liu-xia Ji, who had a brother named Dao Zhi. This Dao Zhi had 9,000 followers, who marched at their will through the kingdom, assailing and oppressing the different princes. They dug through walls and broke into houses; they drove away people's cattle and horses; they carried off people's wives and daughters. In their greed to get, they forgot the claims of kinship, and paid no regard to their parents and brethren. They did not sacrifice to their ancestors. Wherever they passed through the country, in the larger states the people guarded their city walls, and in the smaller the people took to their strongholds. All were distressed by them.
孔子謂柳下季曰:「夫為人父者,必能詔其子;為人兄者,必能教其弟。若父不能詔其子,兄不能教其弟,則無貴父子兄弟之親矣。今先生,世之才士也,弟為盜跖,為天下害,而弗能教也,丘竊為先生羞之。丘請為先生往說之。」柳下季曰:「先生言『為人父者必能詔其子,為人兄者必能教其弟』,若子不聽父之詔,弟不受兄之教,雖今先生之辯,將奈之何哉?且跖之為人也,心如涌泉,意如飄風,強足以距敵,辯足以飾非,順其心則喜,逆其心則怒,易辱人以言。先生必無往。」
Confucius spoke to Liu-xia Ji, saying, 'Fathers should be able to lay down the law to their sons, and elder to instruct their younger brothers. If they are unable to do so, they do not fulfil the duties of the relationships which they sustain. You, Sir, are one of the most talented officers of the age, and your younger brother is this Robber Zhi. He is a pest in the kingdom, and you are not able to instruct him better; I cannot but be ashamed of you, and I beg to go for you and give him counsel.' Liu-xia Ji replied, 'You say, Sir, that fathers must be able to lay down the law to their sons, and elder to instruct their younger brothers, but if sons will not listen to the orders of their fathers, nor the younger receive the lessons of their elder brothers, though one may have your powers of persuasion, what is to be done? And, moreover, Zhi is a man whose mind is like a gushing fountain, and his will like a whirlwind; he is strong enough to resist all enemies, and clever enough to gloss over his wrong-doings. If you agree with him, he is glad; if you oppose him, he is enraged; and he readily meets men with the language of abuse. You must not go to him.'
孔子不聽,顏回為御,子貢為右,往見盜跖。盜跖乃方休卒徒太山之陽,膾人肝而餔之。孔子下車而前,見謁者曰:「魯人孔丘,聞將軍高義,敬再拜謁者。」謁者入通,盜跖聞之大怒,目如明星,髮上指冠,曰:「此夫魯國之巧偽人孔丘非邪?為我告之:『爾作言造語,妄稱文、武,冠枝木之冠,帶死牛之脅,多辭繆說,不耕而食,不織而衣,搖脣鼓舌,擅生是非,以迷天下之主,使天下學士不反其本,妄作孝弟而儌倖於封侯富貴者也。子之罪大極重,疾走歸!不然,我將以子肝益晝餔之膳。』」
Confucius, however, did not attend to this advice. With Yan Hui as his charioteer, and Zi-gong seated on the right, he went to see Dao Zhi, whom he found with his followers halted on the south of Tai-shan, and mincing men's livers, which he gave them to eat. Confucius alighted from his carriage, and went forward, till he saw the usher, to whom he said, 'I, Kong Qiu of Lu, have heard of the general's lofty righteousness,' bowing twice respectfully to the man as he said so. The usher went in and announced the visitor. But when Dao Zhi heard of the arrival, he flew into a great rage; his eyes became like blazing stars, and his hair rose up and touched his cap. 'Is not this fellow,' said he, 'Kong Qiu, that artful hypocrite of Lu? Tell him from me, "You invent speeches and babble away, appealing without ground to (the examples of) Wen and Wu. The ornaments on your cap are as many as the branches of a tree, and your girdle is (a piece of skin) from the ribs of a dead ox, The more you talk, the more nonsense you utter. You get your food without (the labour of) ploughing, and your clothes without (that of) weaving. You wag your lips and make your tongue a drum-stick. You arbitrarily decide what is right and what is wrong, thereby leading astray the princes throughout the kingdom, and making its learned scholars not occupy their thoughts with their proper business. You recklessly set up your filial piety and fraternal duty, and curry favour with the feudal princes, the wealthy and the noble. Your offence is great; your crime is very heavy. Take yourself off home at once. If you do not do so, I will take your liver, and add it to the provision for to-day's food."'
孔子復通曰:「丘得幸於季,願望履幕下。」謁者復通,盜跖曰:「使來前!」孔子趨而進,避席反走,再拜盜跖。盜跖大怒,兩展其足,案劍瞋目,聲如乳虎,曰:「丘來前!若所言,順吾意則生,逆吾心則死。」
But Confucius sent in another message, saying, 'I enjoy the good will of (your brother) Ji, and I wish and hope to tread the ground beneath your tent.' When the usher had communicated this message, Dao Zhi said, 'Make him come forward.' On this Confucius hastened forwards. Declining to take a mat, he drew hastily back, and bowed twice to Dao Zhi, who in a great rage stretched his legs apart, laid his hand on his sword, and with glaring eyes and a voice like the growl of a nursing tigress, said, 'Come forwards, Zhi. If what you say be in accordance with my mind, you shall live; but, if it be contrary to it, you shall die.'
孔子曰:「丘聞之,凡天下有三德:生而長大,美好無雙,少長貴賤見而皆說之,此上德也;知維天地,能辯諸物,此中德也;勇悍果敢,聚眾率兵,此下德也。凡人有此一德者,足以南面稱孤矣。今將軍兼此三者,身長八尺二寸,面目有光,脣如激丹,齒如齊貝,音中黃鐘,而名曰盜跖,丘竊為將軍恥不取焉。將軍有意聽臣,臣請南使吳、越,北使齊、魯,東使宋、衛,西使晉、楚,使為將軍造大城數百里,立數十萬戶之邑,尊將軍為諸侯,與天下更始,罷兵休卒,收養昆弟,共祭先祖。此聖人才士之行,而天下之願也。」
Confucius replied, 'I have heard that everywhere under the sky there are three (most excellent) qualities. To be naturally tall and large, to be elegant and handsome without a peer, so that young and old, noble and mean, are pleased to look upon him - this is the highest of those qualities. To comprehend both heaven and earth in his wisdom, and to be able to speak eloquently on all subjects - this is the middle one of them. To be brave and courageous, resolute and daring, gathering the multitudes round him, and leading on his troops - this is the lowest of them. Whoever possesses one of these qualities is fit to stand with his face to the south, and style himself a Prince. But you, General, unite in yourself all the three. Your person is eight cubits and two inches in height; there is a brightness about your face and a light in your eyes; your lips look as if stained with vermilion; your teeth are like rows of precious shells; your voice is attuned to the musical tubes, and yet you are named "The Robber Zhi." I am ashamed of you, General, and cannot approve of you. If you are inclined to listen to me, I should like to go as your commissioner to Wu and Yue in the south; to Qi and Lu in the north; to Sung and Wei in the cast; and to Jin and Chu in the west. I will get them to build for you a great city several hundred li in size, to establish under it towns containing several hundred thousands of inhabitants, and honour you there as a feudal lord. The kingdom will see you begin your career afresh; you will cease from your wars and disband your soldiers; you will collect and nourish your brethren, and along with them offer the sacrifices to your ancestors: this will be a course befitting a sage and an officer of ability, and will fulfil the wishes of the whole kingdom.'
盜跖大怒曰:「丘來前!夫可規以利而可諫以言者,皆愚陋恆民之謂耳。今長大美好,人見而悅之者,此吾父母之遺德也。丘雖不吾譽,吾獨不自知邪?且吾聞之:『好面譽人者,亦好背而毀之。』今丘告我以大城眾民,是欲規我以利而恆民畜我也,安可久長也?城之大者,莫大乎天下矣。堯、舜有天下,子孫無置錐之地,湯、武立為天子而後世絕滅,非以其利大故邪?
'Come forward, Qiu,' said Dao Zhi, greatly enraged. 'Those who can be persuaded by considerations of gain, and to whom remonstrances may be addressed with success, are all ignorant, low, and ordinary people. That I am tall and large, elegant and handsome, so that all who see me are pleased with me - this is an effect of the body left me by my parents. Though you were not to praise me for it, do I not know it myself? And I have heard that he who likes to praise men to their face will also like to speak ill of them behind their back. And when you tell me of a great wall and a multitudinous people, this is to try to persuade me by considerations of gain, and to cocker me as one of the ordinary people. But how could such advantages last for long? Of all great cities there is none so great as the whole kingdom, which was possessed by Yao and Shun, while their descendants (now) have not so much territory as would admit an awl. Tang and Wu were both set up as the Sons of Heaven, but in after ages (their posterity) were cut off and extinguished - was not this because the gain of their position was so great a prize?
且吾聞之:古者禽獸多而人少,於是民皆巢居以避之,晝拾橡栗,暮栖木上,故命之曰有巢氏之民。古者民不知衣服,夏多積薪,冬則煬之,故命之曰知生之民。神農之世,臥則居居,起則于于,民知其母,不知其父,與麋鹿共處,耕而食,織而衣,無有相害之心,此至德之隆也。然而黃帝不能致德,與蚩尤戰於涿鹿之野,流血百里。堯、舜作,立群臣,湯放其主,武王殺紂。自是之後,以強陵弱,以眾暴寡。湯、武以來,皆亂人之徒也。
'And moreover I have heard that anciently birds and beasts were numerous, and men were few, so that they lived in nests in order to avoid the animals. In the daytime they gathered acorns and chestnuts, and in the night they roosted on the trees; and on account of this they are called the people of the Nest-builder. Anciently the people did not know the use of clothes. In summer they collected great stores of faggots, and in winter kept themselves warm by means of them; and on account of this they are called the people who knew how to take care of their lives. In the age of Shen Nong, the people lay down in simple innocence, and rose up in quiet security. They knew their mothers, but did not know their fathers. They dwelt along with the elks and deer. They ploughed and ate; they wove and made clothes; they had no idea of injuring one another: this was the grand time of Perfect virtue. Huang-Di, however, was not able to perpetuate this virtuous state. He fought with Chi-you in the wild ofZhuo-lu till the blood flowed over a hundred li. When Yao and Shun arose, they instituted their crowd of ministers. Tang banished his lord. King Wu killed Zhou. Since that time the strong have oppressed the weak, and the many tyrannised over the few. From Tang and Wu downwards, (the rulers) have all been promoters of disorder and confusion.
今子修文、武之道,掌天下之辯,以教後世,縫衣淺帶,矯言偽行,以迷惑天下之主,而欲求富貴焉,盜莫大於子。天下何故不謂子為盜丘而乃謂我為盜跖?子以甘辭說子路而使從之,使子路去其危冠,解其長劍,而受教於子,天下皆曰『孔丘能止暴禁非』。其卒之也,子路欲殺衛君而事不成,身菹於衛東門之上,是子教之不至也。子自謂才士聖人邪!則再逐於魯,削跡於衛,窮於齊,圍於陳、蔡,不容身於天下。子教子路菹此患,上無以為身,下無以為人,子之道豈足貴邪?
'You yourself now cultivate and inculcate the ways of Wen and Wu; you handle whatever subjects are anywhere discussed for the instruction of future ages. With your peculiar robe and narrow girdle, with your deceitful speech and hypocritical conduct, you delude the lords of the different states, and are seeking for riches and honours. There is no greater robber than you are - why does not all the world call you the Robber Zhi, instead of styling me the Robber Zhi? You prevailed by your sweet speeches on Zi-lu, and made him your follower; you made him put away his high cap, lay aside his long sword, and receive your instructions, so that all the world said, "Kong Qiu is able to arrest violence and repress the wrong-doer;" but in the end, when Zi-lu wished to slay the ruler of Wei, and the affair proved unsuccessful, his body was exhibited in pickle over the eastern gate of the capital - so did your teaching of him come to nothing. Do you call yourself a scholar of talent, a sage? Why, you were twice driven out of Lu; you had to run away from Wei; you were reduced to extremity in Qi; you were held in a state of siege between Chen and Cai; there is no resting-place for your person in the kingdom; your instructions brought Zi-lu to pickle. Such have been the misfortunes (attending your course). You have done no good either for yourself or for others - how can your doctrines be worth being thought much of?
世之所高,莫若黃帝,黃帝尚不能全德,而戰涿鹿之野,流血百里。堯不,舜不孝,禹偏枯,湯放其主,武王伐紂,文王拘羑里。此六子者,世之所高也,孰論之,皆以利惑其真而強反其情性,其行乃甚可羞也!
'There is no one whom the world exalts so much as it does Huang-Di, and still he was not able to perfect his virtue, but fought in the wilderness of Zhuo-lu, till the blood flowed over a hundred li. Yao was not kind to his son. Shun was not filial. Yu was paralysed on one side. Tang banished his sovereign. King Wu smote Zhou. King Wen was imprisoned in You-li. These are the six men of whom the world thinks the most highly, yet when we accurately consider their history, we see that for the sake of gain they all disallowed their true (nature), and did violence to its proper qualities and tendencies: their conduct cannot be thought of but with deep shame.
世之所謂賢士,伯夷、叔齊,伯夷、叔齊辭孤竹之君,而餓死於首陽之山,骨肉不葬。鮑焦飾行非世,抱木而死。申徒狄諫而不聽,負石自投於河,為魚鱉所食。介子推至忠也,自割其股以食文公,文公後背之,子推怒而去,抱木而燔死。尾生與女子期於梁下,女子不來,水至不去,抱梁柱而死。此六子者,無異於磔犬、流豕、操瓢而乞者,皆離名輕死,不念本養壽命者也。
'Among those whom the world calls men of ability and virtue were (the brothers) Bo-yi and Shu-Qi. They declined the rule of Gu-zhu, and died of starvation on the hill of Shou-yang, leaving their bones and flesh unburied. Bao Qiao vaunted his conduct, and condemned the world, but he died with his arms round a tree. When Shen-tu Di's remonstrances were not listened to, he fastened a stone on his back, and threw himself into the He, where he was eaten by the fishes and turtles. Jie Zi-tui was the most devoted (of followers), and cut a piece from his thigh as food for duke Wen. But when the duke afterwards overlooked him (in his distribution of favours), he was angry, and went away, and was burned to death with a tree in his arms. Wei Sheng had made an appointment with a girl to meet him under a bridge; but when she did not come, and the water rose around him, he would not go away, and died with his arms round one of the pillars. (The deaths of) these four men were not different from those of the dog that is torn in pieces, the pig that is borne away by a current, or the beggar (drowned in a ditch) with his alms-gourd in his hand. They were all caught as in a net by their (desire for) fame, not caring to nourish their life to its end, as they were bound to do.
世之所謂忠臣者,莫若王子比干、伍子胥,子胥沈江,比干剖心。此二子者,世謂忠臣也,然卒為天下笑。自上觀之,至於子胥、比干,皆不足貴也。
'Among those whom the world calls faithful ministers there have been none like the prince Bi-gan and Wu Zi-xu. But Zi-xu's (dead) body was cast into the Jiang, and the heart of Bi-gan was cut out. These two were what the world calls loyal ministers, but the end has been that everybody laughs at them. Looking at all the above cases, down to those of Zi-xu and Bi-gan, there is not one worthy to be honoured.
丘之所以說我者,若告我以鬼事,則我不能知也;若告我以人事者,不過此矣,皆吾所聞知也。今吾告子以人之情:目欲視色,耳欲聽聲,口欲察味,志氣欲盈。人上壽百歲,中壽八十,下壽六十,除病瘦、死喪、憂患,其中開口而笑者,一月之中不過四五日而已矣。天與地無窮,人死者有時,操有時之具而託於無窮之間,忽然無異騏驥之馳過隙也。不能說其志意,養其壽命者,皆非通道者也。丘之所言,皆吾之所棄也,亟去走歸,無復言之!子之道,狂狂汲汲,詐巧虛偽事也,非可以全真也,奚足論哉?」
'And as to the admonitions which you, Qiu, wish to impress on me, if you tell me about the state of the dead, I am unable to know anything about it; if you tell me about the things of men (alive), they are only such as I have stated, what I have heard and know all about. I will now tell you, Sir, my views about the condition of man. The eyes wish to look on beauty; the ears to hear music; the mouth to enjoy flavours; the will to be gratified. The greatest longevity man can reach is a hundred years; a medium longevity is eighty years; the lowest longevity is sixty. Take away sickness, pining, bereavement, mourning, anxieties, and calamities, the times when, in any of these, one can open his mouth and laugh, are only four or five days in a month. Heaven and earth have no limit of duration, but the death of man has its (appointed) time. Take the longest amount of a limited time, and compare it with what is unlimited, its brief existence is not different from the passing of a crevice by one of king Mu's horses. Those who cannot gratify their will and natural aims, and nourish their appointed longevity, are all unacquainted with the (right) Way (of life). I cast from me, Zhi, all that you say. Be quick and go. Hurry back and say not a word more. Your Way is only a wild recklessness, deceitful, artful, vain, and hypocritical. It is not available to complete the true (nature of man); it is not worth talking about!'
孔子再拜趨走,出門上車,執轡三失,目芒然無見,色若死灰,據軾低頭,不能出氣。歸到魯東門外,適遇柳下季。柳下季曰:「今者闕然數日不見,車馬有行色,得微往見跖邪?」孔子仰天而歎曰:「然。」柳下季曰:「跖得無逆汝意若前乎?」孔子曰:「然。丘所謂無病而自灸也,疾走料虎頭,編虎須,幾不免虎口哉!」
Confucius bowed twice, and hurried away. He went out at the door, and mounted his carriage. Thrice he missed the reins as he tried to take hold of them. His eyes were dazed, and he could not see; and his colour was that of slaked lime. He laid hold of the cross-bar, holding his head down, and unable to draw his breath. When he got back, outside the east gate of (the capital of) Lu, he encountered Liu-xia Ji, who said to him, 'Here you are, right in the gate. For some days I have not seen you. Your carriage and horses are travel-stained - have you not been to see Dao Zhi?' Confucius looked up to heaven, sighed, and said, 'Yes.' The other went on, 'And did he not set himself in opposition to all your views, as I said he would do?' 'He did. My case has been that of the man who cauterised himself without being ill. I rushed away, stroked the tiger's head, played with his whiskers, and narrowly escaped his mouth.'

漁父 - The Old Fisherman

English translation: James Legge [?]
Books referencing 《漁父》 Library Resources
5 漁父:
孔子愀然曰:「請問何謂真?」客曰:「真者,精誠之至也。不精不誠,不能動人。故強哭者雖悲不哀,強怒者雖嚴不威,強親者雖笑不和。真悲無聲而哀,真怒未發而威,真親未笑而和。真在內者,神動於外,是所以貴真也。其用於人理也,事親則孝,事君則忠貞,飲酒則歡樂,處喪則悲哀。忠貞以功為主,飲酒以樂為主,處喪以哀為主,事親以適為主,功成之美,無一其跡矣。事親以適,不論所以矣;飲酒以樂,不選其具矣;處喪以哀,無問其禮矣。禮者,世俗之所為也;真者,所以受於天也,自然不可易也。故聖人法天貴真,不拘於俗。愚者反此,不能法天而恤於人,不知貴真,祿祿而受變於俗,故不足。惜哉!子之早湛於人偽,而晚聞大道也!」
The Old Fisherman:
Confucius with an air of sadness said, 'Allow me to ask what it is that you call my proper Truth.' The stranger replied, 'A man's proper Truth is pure sincerity in its highest degree - without this pure sincerity one cannot move others. Hence if one (only) forces himself to wail, however sadly he may do so, it is not (real) sorrow; if he forces himself to be angry, however he may seem to be severe, he excites no awe; if he forces himself to show affection, however he may smile, he awakens no harmonious reciprocation. True grief, without a sound, is yet sorrowful; true anger, without any demonstration, yet awakens awe; true affection, without a smile, yet produces a harmonious reciprocation. Given this truth within, it exercises a spiritual efficacy without, and this is why we count it so valuable. In our relations with others, it appears according to the requirements of each case: in the service of parents, as gentle, filial duty; in the service of rulers, as loyalty and integrity; in festive drinking, as pleasant enjoyment; in the performance of the mourning rites, as sadness and sorrow. In loyalty and integrity, good service is the principal thing; in festive drinking, the enjoyment; in the mourning rites, the sorrow; in the service of parents, the giving them pleasure. The beauty of the service rendered (to a ruler) does not require that it always be performed in one way; the service of parents so as to give them pleasure takes no account of how it is done; the festive drinking which ministers enjoyment does not depend on the appliances for it; the observance of the mourning rites with the proper sorrow asks no questions about the rites themselves. Rites are prescribed for the practice of the common people; man's proper Truth is what he has received from Heaven, operating spontaneously, and unchangeable. Therefore the sages take their law from Heaven, and prize their (proper) Truth, without submitting to the restrictions of custom. The stupid do the reverse of this. They are unable to take their law from Heaven, and are influenced by other men; they do not know how to prize the proper Truth (of their nature), but are under the dominion of ordinary things, and change according to the customs (around them): always, consequently, incomplete. Alas for you, Sir, that you were early steeped in the hypocrisies of men, and have been so late in hearing about the Great Way!'

天下 - Tian Xia

English translation: James Legge [?]
Books referencing 《天下》 Library Resources
1 天下:
天下之治方術者多矣,皆以其有為不可加矣。古之所謂道術者,果惡乎在?曰:「無乎不在。」曰:「神何由降?明何由出?」「聖有所生,王有所成,皆原於一。」
Tian Xia:
The methods employed in the regulation of the world are many; and (the employers of them) think each that the efficiency of his own method leaves nothing to be added to it. But where is what was called of old 'the method of the Dao?' We must reply, 'It is everywhere.' But then whence does the spiritual in it come down? and whence does the intelligence in it come forth? There is that which gives birth to the Sage, and that which gives his perfection to the King: the origin of both is the One.
不離於宗,謂之天人。不離於精,謂之神人。不離於真,謂之至人。以天為宗,以德為本,以道為門,兆於變化,謂之聖人。以仁為恩,以義為理,以禮為行,以樂為和,薰然仁,謂之君子。以法為分,以名為表,以參為驗,以稽為決,其數一二三四是也。百官以此相齒,以事為常,以衣食為主,蕃息畜藏,老弱孤寡為意,皆有以養,民之理也。
Not to be separate from his primal source constitutes what we call the Heavenly man; not to be separate from the essential nature thereof constitutes what we call the Spirit-like man; not to be separate from its real truth constitutes what we call the Perfect man. To regard Heaven as his primal Source, Its Attributes as the Root (of his nature), and the Dao as the Gate (by which he enters into this inheritance), (knowing also) the prognostics given in change and transformation, constitutes what we call the Sagely man. To regard benevolence as (the source of all) kindness, righteousness as (the source of all) distinctions, propriety as (the rule of) all conduct, and music as (the idea of) all harmony, thus diffusing a fragrance of gentleness and goodness, constitutes what we call the Superior man. To regard laws as assigning the different (social) conditions, their names as the outward expression (of the social duties), the comparison of subjects as supplying the grounds of evidence, investigation as conducting to certainty, so that things can be numbered as first, second, third, fourth (and so on): (this is the basis of government). Its hundred offices are thus arranged; business has its regular course; the great matters of clothes and food are provided for; cattle are fattened and looked after; the (government) stores are filled; the old and weak, orphans and solitaries, receive anxious consideration: in all these ways is provision made for the nourishment of the people.
古之人其備乎!配神明,醇天地,育萬物,和天下,澤及百姓,明於本數,係於末度,六通四辟,小大精粗,其運無乎不在。其明而在數度者,舊法世傳之史尚多有之。其在於《》、《》、《禮》、《樂》者,鄒、魯之士、搢紳先生多能明之。《》以道志,《》以道事,《禮》以道行,《樂》以道和,《》以道陰陽,《春秋》以道名分。其數散於天下而設於中國者,百家之學時或稱而道之。
How complete was (the operation of the Dao) in the men of old! It made them the equals of spiritual beings, and subtle and all-embracing as heaven and earth. They nourished all things, and produced harmony all under heaven. Their beneficent influence reached to all classes of the people. They understood all fundamental principles, and followed them out to their graduated issues; in all the six directions went their penetration, and in the four quarters all things were open to them. Great and small, fine and coarse - all felt their presence and operation. Their intelligence, as seen in all their regulations, was handed down from age to age in their old laws, and much of it was still to be found in the Historians. What of it was in the Shi, the Shu, the Li, and the Yue, might be learned from the scholars of Zou and Lu, and the girdled members of the various courts. The Shi describes what should be the aim of the mind; the Shu, the course of events; the Li is intended to direct the conduct; the Yue, to set forth harmony; the Yi, to show the action of the Yin and Yang; and the Chun Qiu, to display names and the duties belonging to them. Some of the regulations (of these men of old), scattered all under heaven, and established in our Middle states, are (also) occasionally mentioned and described in the writings of the different schools.
天下大亂,賢聖不明,道德不一,天下多得一察焉以自好。譬如耳目鼻口,皆有所明,不能相通。猶百家眾技也,皆有所長,時有所用。雖然,不該不遍,一曲之士也。判天地之美,析萬物之理,察古人之全,寡能備於天地之美,稱神明之容。是故內聖外王之道,闇而不明,鬱而不發,天下之人各為其所欲焉以自為方。悲夫!百家往而不反,必不合矣。後世之學者,不幸不見天地之純,古人之大體,道術將為天下裂。
There ensued great disorder in the world, and sages and worthies no longer shed their light on it. The Dao and its characteristics ceased to be regarded as uniform. Many in different places got one glimpse of it, and plumed themselves on possessing it as a whole. They might be compared to the ear, the eye, the nose, or the mouth. Each sense has its own faculty, but their different faculties cannot be interchanged. So it was with the many branches of the various schools. Each had its peculiar excellence, and there was the time for the use of it; but notwithstanding no one covered or extended over the whole (range of truth). The case was that of the scholar of a corner who passes his judgment on all the beautiful in heaven and earth, discriminates the principles that underlie all things, and attempts to estimate the success arrived at by the ancients. Seldom is it that such an one can embrace all the beautiful in heaven and earth, or rightly estimate the ways of the spiritual and intelligent; and thus it was that the Dao, which inwardly forms the sage and externally the king, became obscured and lost its clearness, became repressed and lost its development. Every one in the world did whatever he wished, and was the rule to himself. Alas! the various schools held on their several ways, and could not come back to the same point, nor agree together. The students of that later age unfortunately did not see the undivided purity of heaven and earth, and the great scheme of truth held by the ancients. The system of the Dao was about to be torn in fragments all under a the sky.

道德經 - Dao De Jing

[Warring States (475 BC - 221 BC)] English translation: James Legge [?]
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[Also known as: 《老子》, "Tao Te Ching", "Laozi"]

18 道德經:
大道廢,有仁義;智慧出,有大偽;六親不和,有孝;國家昏亂,有忠臣。
Dao De Jing:
(The decay of manners)
When the Great Dao (Way or Method) ceased to be observed, benevolence and righteousness came into vogue. (Then) appeared wisdom and shrewdness, and there ensued great hypocrisy. When harmony no longer prevailed throughout the six kinships, filial sons found their manifestation; when the states and clans fell into disorder, loyal ministers appeared.

19 道德經:
絕聖棄智,民利百倍;絕仁棄義,民復孝;絕巧棄利,盜賊無有。此三者以為文不足。故令有所屬:見素抱樸,少私寡欲。
Dao De Jing:
(Returning to the unadulterated influence)
If we could renounce our sageness and discard our wisdom, it would be better for the people a hundredfold. If we could renounce our benevolence and discard our righteousness, the people would again become filial and kindly. If we could renounce our artful contrivances and discard our (scheming for) gain, there would be no thieves nor robbers.
Those three methods (of government)
Thought olden ways in elegance did fail
And made these names their want of worth to veil;
But simple views, and courses plain and true
Would selfish ends and many lusts eschew.

67 道德經:
天下皆謂我道大,似不肖。夫唯大,故似不肖。若肖久矣。其細也夫!我有三寶,持而保之。一曰,二曰儉,三曰不敢為天下先。故能勇;儉故能廣;不敢為天下先,故能成器長。今舍且勇;舍儉且廣;舍後且先;死矣!夫以戰則勝,以守則固。天將救之,以衛之。
Dao De Jing:
(Three precious things)
All the world says that, while my Dao is great, it yet appears to be inferior (to other systems of teaching).
Now it is just its greatness that makes it seem to be inferior. If it were like any other (system), for long would its smallness have been known!
But I have three precious things which I prize and hold fast. The first is gentleness; the second is economy; and the third is shrinking from taking precedence of others.
With that gentleness I can be bold; with that economy I can be liberal; shrinking from taking precedence of others, I can become a vessel of the highest honour. Now-a-days they give up gentleness and are all for being bold; economy, and are all for being liberal; the hindmost place, and seek only to be foremost; - (of all which the end is) death.
Gentleness is sure to be victorious even in battle, and firmly to maintain its ground. Heaven will save its possessor, by his (very) gentleness protecting him.

鶡冠子 - He Guan Zi

[Warring States (475 BC - 221 BC)]
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王鈇

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6 王鈇:
龐子曰:「願聞天曲日術。」鶡冠子曰:「其制邑理都使矔習者,五家為伍,伍為之長,十伍為里,里置有司,四里為扁,扁為之長,十扁為鄉,鄉置師,五鄉為縣,縣有嗇夫治焉,十縣為郡,有大夫守焉,命曰官屬。郡大夫退脩其屬縣,嗇夫退脩其鄉,鄉師退脩其扁,扁長退脩其里,里有司退脩其伍,伍長退脩其家。事相斥正,居處相察,出入相司。父與父言義,子與子言孝。長者言善,少者言敬,旦夕相薰薌,以此孝之務。若有所移徙去就,家與家相受,人與人相付,亡人姦物,無所穿竄,此其人情物理也。伍人有勿故不奉上令有餘不足居處之狀,而不輒以告里有司,謂之亂家,其罪伍長以同。里中有不敬長少,出等異眾,不聽父兄之教,有所受聞,不悉以告扁長,謂之亂里,其罪有司而貳其家。扁不以時循行教誨,受聞不悉以告鄉師,謂之亂扁,其罪扁長而貳其家。鄉不以時循行教誨,受聞不悉以告縣嗇夫,謂之亂鄉,其罪鄉師而貳其家。縣嗇夫不以時循行教誨,受聞不悉以告郡,善者不顯,命曰蔽明,見惡而隱,命曰下比,謂之亂縣,其誅嗇夫無赦。郡大夫不以循行教誨,受聞雖實,有所遺脫,不悉以教柱國,謂之亂郡,其誅郡大夫無赦。柱國不政,使下情不上聞,上情不下究,謂之絿政,其誅柱國滅門殘疾。令尹不宜時合地害百姓者,謂之亂天下,其軫令尹以祢。此其所以嗇物也。天用四時,地用五行,天子執一以居中央,調以五音,正以六律,紀以度數,宰以刑德。

世兵

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1 世兵:
道有度數,故神明可交也,物有相勝,故水火可用也,東西南北,故形名可信也。五帝在前,三王在後,上德已衰矣,兵知俱起。黃帝百戰,蚩尤七十二,堯伐有唐,禹服有苗,天不變其常,地不易其則,陰陽不亂其氣,生死不俛其位,三光不改其用,神明不徙其法。得失不兩張,成敗不兩立。所謂賢不肖者古今一也。君子不惰,真人不怠,無見久貧賤,則據簡之,伊尹酒保,太公屠牛,管子作革,百里奚官奴。海內荒亂,立為世師,莫不天地,善謀日月,不息迺成,四時精習象神,孰謂能之,素成其用,先知其故。湯能以七十里放桀,武王以百里伐紂,知一不煩,千方萬曲,所雜齊同,勝道不一,知者計全,明將不倍時而棄利,勇士不怯死而滅名,欲喻至德之美者,其慮不與俗同,欲驗九天之高者,行不徑請,是以忠臣不先其身而後其君,寒心孤立懸命,將軍野戰,則國弊民罷,城守則食人灼骸,計失,其國削主困,為天下笑,持國計者可以無詳乎?固有過計有嘗試。是以曹沬為魯將,與齊三戰而亡地千里,使曹子計不顧後,刎頸而死,則不免為敗軍擒將。曹子以為敗軍擒將非勇也。國削名滅非智也,身死君危非忠也。夫死人之事者,不能續人之壽,故退與魯君計,桓公合諸侯,曹子以一劍之任劫桓公墠位之上,顏色不變,辭氣不悖三戰之所亡,一旦而反,天下震動,四鄰驚駭,名傳後世。扶杖於小愧者,大功不成。故曹子去忿悁之心,立終身之功,棄細忿之愧,立累世之名。故曹子為知時,魯君為知人。劇辛為燕將,與趙戰,軍敗,劇辛自剄,燕以失五城,自賊以為禍門,身死以危其君,名實俱滅,是謂失此不還人之計也,非過材之莿也。夫得道者務無大失,凡人者務有小善,小善積惡欲多惡則不積德,不積則多難,多難則濁,濁則無知,多欲則不博,不博則多憂,多憂則濁,濁則無知,欲惡者,知之所昏也。夫強不能者僇之其言辱,是劇辛能絕而燕王不知人也。昔善戰者舉兵相從,陳以五行,戰以五音,指天之極,與神同方,類類生成,用一不窮,明者為法,微道是行,齊過進退,參之天地,出實觸虛,禽將破軍,發如鏃矢,動如雷霆,暴疾擣虛,殷若壞牆,執急節短,用不縵縵,避我所死,就吾所生,趨吾所時,援吾所勝。故士不折北,兵不困窮。得此道者驅用市人,乘流以逝,與道翱翔,翱翔授取,錮據堅守,呼吸鎮移,與時更為一先一後,音律相奏,一右一左,道無不可,受數於天,定位於地,成名於人。彼時之至,安可復還,安可控搏。天地不倚,錯以待能,度數相使,陰陽相攻,死生相攝,氣威相滅,虛實相因。得失浮縣,兵以勢勝,時不常使,蚤晚絀嬴,反相殖生,變化無窮,何可勝言。水激則旱,矢激則遠,精神回薄,振蕩相轉,遲速有命,必中三五,合散消息,孰識其時。至人遺物,獨與道俱,縱驅委命,與時往來,盛衰死生,孰識其期,儼然至湛,孰知其尤。禍乎福之所倚,福乎禍之所伏,禍與福如糾纏。渾沌錯紛,其狀若一,交解形狀,孰知其則。芴芒無貌,唯聖人而後決其意。斡流遷徙,固無休息,終則有始,孰知其極。一目之羅,不可以得雀,籠中之鳥,空窺不出,眾人唯唯,安定禍福,憂喜聚門,吉凶同域,失反為得,成反為敗。吳大兵強,夫差以困,越棲會稽,勾踐霸世。達人大觀,乃見其可,橢枋一術,奚足以游。往古來今,事孰無郵。舜有不孝,堯有不,文王桎梏,管仲拘囚,坱軋無垠,孰●得之,至得無私,泛泛乎若不繫之舟。能者以濟,不能者以覆。天不可與謀,地不可與慮。聖人捐物,從理與舍,眾人域域,迫於嗜欲,小知立趨,好惡自懼,夸者死權,自貴矜容,列士徇名,貪夫徇財,至博不給,知時何羞,不肖繫俗,賢爭於時,細故袃蒯,奚足以疑,事成欲得,又奚足夸,千言萬說,卒賞謂何。勾踐不官,二國不定,文王不幽,武王不正,管仲不羞,辱名不與大賢功不得與三王鉦面備矣。

文子 - Wenzi

[Eastern Han - Jin] 212-231
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[Also known as: 《通玄真經》]

精誠

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15 精誠:
老子曰:心之精者,可以神化,而不可說道。聖人不降席而匡天下,情甚於●呼,故同言而信,信在言前也,同令而行,誠在令外也。聖人在上,民化如神,情以先之,動於上不應於下者,情令殊也。三月嬰兒未知利害,而母愛之愈篤者,情也。故言之用者變,變乎小哉,不言之用者變,變乎大哉。信,君子之言,忠,君子之意,忠信形於內,感動應乎外,賢聖之化也。

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