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庄子 - Zhuangzi

[Warring States] 350 BC-250 BC
Books referencing 《庄子》 Library Resources
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[Also known as: 《南华真经》]

内篇 - Inner Chapters

English translation: James Legge [?] Library Resources

逍遥游 - Enjoyment in Untroubled Ease

English translation: James Legge [?]
Books referencing 《逍遥游》 Library Resources
1 逍遥游:
北冥有鱼,其名为鲲。鲲之大,不知其几千里也。化而为鸟,其名为鹏。鹏之背,不知其几千里也;怒而飞,其翼若垂天之云。是鸟也,海运则将徙于南冥。南冥者,天池也。齐谐者,志怪者也。谐之言曰:“鹏之徙于南冥也,水击三千里,抟扶摇而上者九万里,去以六月息者也。”野马也,尘埃也,生物之以息相吹也。天之苍苍,其正色邪?其远而无所至极邪?其视下也亦若是,则已矣。且夫水之积也不厚,则负大舟也无力。覆杯水于坳堂之上,则芥为之舟,置杯焉则胶,水浅而舟大也。风之积也不厚,则其负大翼也无力。故九万里则风斯在下矣,而后乃今培风;背负青天而莫之夭阏者,而后乃今将图南。蜩与学鸠笑之曰:“我决起而飞,枪1榆、枋,时则不至而控于地而已矣,奚以之九万里而南为?”适莽苍者三湌而反,腹犹果然;适百里者宿舂粮;适千里者三月聚粮。之二虫又何知!小知不及大知,小年不及大年。奚以知其然也?朝菌不知晦朔,蟪蛄不知春秋,此小年也。楚之南有冥灵者,以五百岁为春,五百岁为秋;上古有大椿者,以八千岁为春,八千岁为秋。而彭祖乃今以久特闻,人匹之,不亦悲乎!
Enjoyment in Untroubled Ease:...:
In the Northern Ocean there is a fish, the name of which is Kun - I do not know how many li in size. It changes into a bird with the name of Peng, the back of which is (also) - I do not know how many li in extent. When this bird rouses itself and flies, its wings are like clouds all round the sky. When the sea is moved (so as to bear it along), it prepares to remove to the Southern Ocean. The Southern Ocean is the Pool of Heaven.
There is the (book called) Qi Xie, a record of marvels. We have in it these words: 'When the peng is removing to the Southern Ocean it flaps (its wings) on the water for 3000 li. Then it ascends on a whirlwind 90,000 li, and it rests only at the end of six months.' (But similar to this is the movement of the breezes which we call) the horses of the fields, of the dust (which quivers in the sunbeams), and of living things as they are blown against one another by the air. Is its azure the proper colour of the sky? Or is it occasioned by its distance and illimitable extent? If one were looking down (from above), the very same appearance would just meet his view.
And moreover, (to speak of) the accumulation of water; if it be not great, it will not have strength to support a large boat. Upset a cup of water in a cavity, and a straw will float on it as if it were a boat. Place a cup in it, and it will stick fast; the water is shallow and the boat is large. (So it is with) the accumulation of wind; if it be not great, it will not have strength to support great wings. Therefore (the peng ascended to) the height of 90,000 li, and there was such a mass of wind beneath it; thenceforth the accumulation of wind was sufficient. As it seemed to bear the blue sky on its back, and there was nothing to obstruct or arrest its course, it could pursue its way to the South.
A cicada and a little dove laughed at it, saying, 'We make an effort and fly towards an elm or sapanwood tree; and sometimes before we reach it, we can do no more but drop to the ground. Of what use is it for this (creature) to rise 90,000 li, and make for the South?' He who goes to the grassy suburbs, returning to the third meal (of the day), will have his belly as full as when he set out; he who goes to a distance of 100 li will have to pound his grain where he stops for the night; he who goes a thousand li, will have to carry with him provisions for three months. What should these two small creatures know about the matter? The knowledge of that which is small does not reach to that which is great; (the experience of) a few years does not reach to that of many. How do we know that it is so? The mushroom of a morning does not know (what takes place between) the beginning and end of a month; the short-lived cicada does not know (what takes place between) the spring and autumn. These are instances of a short term of life. In the south of Chu there is the (tree) called Ming-ling, whose spring is 500 years, and its autumn the same; in high antiquity there was that called Da-chun, whose spring was 8000 years, and its autumn the same. And Peng Zu is the one man renowned to the present day for his length of life: if all men were (to wish) to match him, would they not be miserable?

1. 枪 : Originally read: "抢". 据《四部丛刊》本改。

7 逍遥游:
惠子谓庄子曰:“吾有大树,人谓之樗。其大本拥肿而不中绳墨,其小枝卷曲而不中规矩,立之涂,匠者不顾。今子之言,大而无用,所同去也。”庄子曰:“子独不见狸狌乎?卑身而伏,以候敖者;东西跳梁,不避高下;中于机辟,死于罔罟。今夫斄牛,其大若垂天之云。此能为大矣,而不能执鼠。今子有大树,患其无用,何不树之于无何有之乡,广莫之野,彷徨乎无为其侧,逍遥乎寝卧其下?不夭斤斧,物无害者,无所可用,安所困苦哉!”
Enjoyment in Untroubled Ease:...:
Huizi said to Zhuangzi, 'I have a large tree, which men call the Ailantus. Its trunk swells out to a large size, but is not fit for a carpenter to apply his line to it; its smaller branches are knotted and crooked, so that the disk and square cannot be used on them. Though planted on the wayside, a builder would not turn his head to look at it. Now your words, Sir, are great, but of no use - all unite in putting them away from them.' Zhuangzi replied, 'Have you never seen a wildcat or a weasel? There it lies, crouching and low, till the wanderer approaches; east and west it leaps about, avoiding neither what is high nor what is low, till it is caught in a trap, or dies in a net. Again there is the Yak, so large that it is like a cloud hanging in the sky. It is large indeed, but it cannot catch mice. You, Sir, have a large tree and are troubled because it is of no use - why do you not plant it in a tract where there is nothing else, or in a wide and barren wild? There you might saunter idly by its side, or in the enjoyment of untroubled ease sleep beneath it. Neither bill nor axe would shorten its existence; there would be nothing to injure it. What is there in its uselessness to cause you distress?'

齐物论 - The Adjustment of Controversies

English translation: James Legge [?]
Books referencing 《齐物论》 Library Resources
1 齐物论:
南郭子綦隐几而坐,仰天而嘘,嗒焉似丧其耦。颜成子游立侍乎前,曰:“何居乎?形固可使如槁木,而心固可使如死灰乎?今之隐几者,非昔之隐几者也。”子綦曰:“偃,不亦善乎而问之也!今者吾丧我,汝知之乎?女闻人籁而未闻地籁,女闻地籁而未闻天籁夫!”子游曰:“敢问其方。”子綦曰:“夫大块噫气,其名为风。是唯无作,作则万窍怒呺。而独不闻之翏翏乎?山林之畏佳,大木百围之窍穴,似鼻,似口,似耳,似枅,似圈,似臼,似洼者,似污者;激者,謞者,叱者,吸者,叫者,譹者,宎者,咬者,前者唱于而随者唱喁。泠风则小和,飘风则大和,厉风济则窍为虚。而独不见之调调、之刁刁乎?”子游曰:“地籁则窍是已,人籁则比竹是已。敢问天籁。”子綦曰:“夫吹万不同,而使其自已1也,咸其自取,怒者其谁邪!”
The Adjustment of Controversies:...:
Nan-Guo Zi-Qi was seated, leaning forward on his stool. He was looking up to heaven and breathed gently, seeming to be in a trance, and to have lost all consciousness of any companion. (His disciple), Yan Cheng Zi-You, who was in attendance and standing before him, said, 'What is this? Can the body be made to become thus like a withered tree, and the mind to become like slaked lime? His appearance as he leans forward on the stool to-day is such as I never saw him have before in the same position.' Zi-Qi said, 'Yan, you do well to ask such a question, I had just now lost myself; but how should you understand it? You may have heard the notes of Man, but have not heard those of Earth; you may have heard the notes of Earth, but have not heard those of Heaven.'
Zi-You said, 'I venture to ask from you a description of all these.' The reply was, 'When the breath of the Great Mass (of nature) comes strongly, it is called Wind. Sometimes it does not come so; but when it does, then from a myriad apertures there issues its excited noise; have you not heard it in a prolonged gale? Take the projecting bluff of a mountain forest - in the great trees, a hundred spans round, the apertures and cavities are like the nostrils, or the mouth, or the ears; now square, now round like a cup or a mortar; here like a wet footprint, and there like a large puddle. (The sounds issuing from them are like) those of fretted water, of the arrowy whizz, of the stern command, of the inhaling of the breath, of the shout, of the gruff note, of the deep wail, of the sad and piping note. The first notes are slight, and those that follow deeper, but in harmony with them. Gentle winds produce a small response; violent winds a great one. When the fierce gusts have passed away, all the apertures are empty (and still) - have you not seen this in the bending and quivering of the branches and leaves?'
Zi-You said, 'The notes of Earth then are simply those which come from its myriad apertures; and the notes of Man may just be compared to those which (are brought from the tubes of) bamboo- allow me to ask about the notes of Heaven.' Zi-Qi replied, 'Blowing the myriad differences, making them stop [proceed] of themselves, sealing their self-selecting - who is it that stirs it all up?'

1. 已 : Another version reads: "己". 王孝鱼点校《庄子集释》作“己”。
2. 'Blowing the myriad differences, making them stop [proceed] of themselves, sealing their self-selecting - who is it that stirs it all up?' : Another version reads: "'When (the wind) blows, (the sounds from) the myriad apertures are different, and (its cessation) makes them stop of themselves. Both of these things arise from (the wind and the apertures) themselves - should there be any other agency that excites them?'". (James Legge's original version)

6 齐物论:
以指喻指之非指,不若以非指喻指之非指也;以马喻马之非马,不若以非马喻马之非马也。天地,一指也;万物,一马也。
可乎可,不可乎不可。道行之而成,物谓之而然。恶乎然?然于然。恶乎不然?不然于不然。物固有所然,物固有所可。无物不然,无物不可。故为是举莛与楹,厉与西施,恢恑憰怪,道通为一。
其分也,成也;其成也,毁也。凡物无成与毁,复通为一。唯达者知通为一,为是不用而寓诸庸。庸也者,用也;用也者,通也;通也者,得也。适得而几矣。因是已。已而不知其然,谓之道。劳神明为一,而不知其同也,谓之朝三。何谓朝三?曰狙公赋芧,曰:“朝三而莫四。”狙皆怒。曰:“然则朝四而莫三。”狙皆悦。名实未亏,而喜怒为用,亦因是也。是以圣人和之以是非,而休乎天钧,是之谓两行。
The Adjustment of Controversies:...:
By means of a finger (of my own) to illustrate that the finger (of another) is not a finger is not so good a plan as to illustrate that it is not so by means of what is (acknowledged to be) not a finger; and by means of (what I call) a horse to illustrate that (what another calls) a horse is not so, is not so good a plan as to illustrate that it is not a horse, by means of what is (acknowledged to be) not a horse. (All things in) heaven and earth may be (dealt with as) a finger; (each of) their myriads may be (dealt with as) a horse.
Does a thing seem so to me? (I say that) it is so. Does it seem not so to me? (I say that) it is not so. A path is formed by (constant) treading on the ground. A thing is called by its name through the (constant) application of the name to it. How is it so? It is so because it is so. How is it not so? It is not so, because it is not so. Everything has its inherent character and its proper capability. There is nothing which has not these. Therefore, this being so, if we take a stalk of grain and a (large) pillar, a loathsome (leper) and (a beauty like) Xi Shi, things large and things insecure, things crafty and things strange; they may in the light of the Dao all be reduced to the same category (of opinion about them).
It was separation that led to completion; from completion ensued dissolution. But all things, without regard to their completion and dissolution, may again be comprehended in their unity - it is only the far reaching in thought who know how to comprehend them in this unity. This being so, let us give up our devotion to our own views, and occupy ourselves with the ordinary views. These ordinary views are grounded on the use of things. (The study of that) use leads to the comprehensive judgment, and that judgment secures the success (of the inquiry). That success gained, we are near (to the object of our search), and there we stop. When we stop, and yet we do not know how it is so, we have what is called the Dao. When we toil our spirits and intelligence, obstinately determined (to establish our own view), and do not know the agreement (which underlies it and the views of others), we have what is called 'In the morning three.' What is meant by that 'In the morning three?' A keeper of monkeys, in giving them out their acorns, (once) said, 'In the morning I will give you three (measures) and in the evening four.' This made them all angry, and he said, 'Very well. In the morning I will give you four and in the evening three.' The monkeys were all pleased. His two proposals were substantially the same, but the result of the one was to make the creatures angry, and of the other to make them pleased - an illustration of the point I am insisting on. Therefore the sagely man brings together a dispute in its affirmations and denials, and rests in the equal fashioning of Heaven. Both sides of the question are admissible.

10 齐物论:
夫道未始有封,言未始有常,为是而有畛也。请言其畛:有左,有右,有伦,有义,有分,有辩,有竞,有争,此之谓八德。六合之外,圣人存而不论;六合之内,圣人论而不议。春秋经世,先王之志,圣人议而不辩。故分也者,有不分也;辩也者,有不辩也。曰:何也?圣人怀之,人辩之以相示也。故曰:辩也者,有不见也。夫大道不称,大辩不言,大仁不仁,大廉不嗛,大勇不忮。道昭而不道,言辩而不及,仁常而不成,廉清而不信,勇忮而不成。五者园而几向方矣。故知止其所不知,至矣。孰知不言之辩,不道之道?若有能知,此之谓天府。注焉而不满,酌焉而不竭,而不知其所由来,此之谓葆光。故昔者尧问于舜曰:“我欲伐宗、脍、胥敖,南面而不释然。其故何也?”舜曰:“夫三子者,犹存乎蓬艾之间。若不释然,何哉?昔者十日并出,万物皆照,而况德之进乎日者乎!”
The Adjustment of Controversies:...:
The Dao at first met with no responsive recognition. Speech at first had no constant forms of expression. Because of this there came the demarcations (of different views). Let me describe those demarcations: they are the Left and the Right; the Relations and their Obligations; Classifications and their Distinctions; Emulations and Contentions. These are what are called 'the Eight Qualities.' Outside the limits of the world of men, the sage occupies his thoughts, but does not discuss about anything; inside those limits he occupies his thoughts, but does not pass any judgments. In the Chun Qiu, which embraces the history of the former kings, the sage indicates his judgments, but does not argue (in vindication of them). Thus it is that he separates his characters from one another without appearing to do so, and argues without the form of argument. How does he do so? The sage cherishes his views in his own breast, while men generally state theirs argumentatively, to show them to others. Hence we have the saying, 'Disputation is a proof of not seeing clearly.'
The Great Dao does not admit of being praised. The Great Argument does not require words. Great Benevolence is not (officiously) benevolent. Great Disinterestedness does not vaunt its humility. Great Courage is not seen in stubborn bravery. The Dao that is displayed is not the Dao. Words that are argumentative do not reach the point. Benevolence that is constantly exercised does not accomplish its object. Disinterestedness that vaunts its purity is not genuine. Courage that is most stubborn is ineffectual. These five seem to be round (and complete), but they tend to become square (and immovable). Therefore the knowledge that stops at what it does not know is the greatest. Who knows the argument that needs no words, and the Way that is not to be trodden? He who is able to know this has what is called 'The Heavenly Treasure-house.' He may pour into it without its being filled; he may pour from it without its being exhausted; and all the while he does not know whence (the supply) comes. This is what is called 'The Store of Light.' Therefore of old Yao asked Shun, saying, 'I wish to smite (the rulers of) Zong, Kuai, and Xu-Ao. Even when standing in my court, I cannot get them out of my mind. How is it so?' Shun replied, 'Those three rulers live (in their little states) as if they were among the mugwort and other brushwood - how is it that you cannot get them out of your mind? Formerly, ten suns came out together, and all things were illuminated by them; how much should (your) virtue exceed (all) suns!'

12 齐物论:
瞿鹊子问乎长梧子曰:“吾闻诸夫子,圣人不从事于务,不就利,不违害,不喜求,不缘道,无谓有谓,有谓无谓,而游乎尘垢之外。夫子以为孟浪之言,而我以为妙道之行也。吾子以为奚若?”长梧子曰:“是黄帝之所听荧也,而丘也何足以知之!且女亦大早计,见卵而求时夜,见弹而求鴞炙。予尝为女妄言之,女以妄听之,奚?旁日月,挟宇宙,为其脗合,置其滑涽,以隶相尊。人役役,圣人愚芚,参万岁而一成纯。万物尽然,而以是相蕴。予恶乎知说生之非惑邪!予恶乎知恶死之非弱丧而不知归者邪!丽之姬,艾封人之子也。晋国之始得之也,涕泣沾襟;及其至于王所,与王同筐床,食刍豢,而后悔其泣也。予恶乎知夫死者不悔其始之蕲生乎!梦饮酒者,旦而哭泣;梦哭泣者,旦而田猎。方其梦也,不知其梦也。梦之中又占其梦焉,觉而后知其梦也。且有大觉而后知此其大梦也,而愚者自以为觉,窃窃然知之。君乎,牧乎,固哉!丘也,与女皆梦也;予谓女梦,亦梦也。是其言也,其名为吊诡。万世之后,而一遇大圣知其解者,是旦暮遇之也。既使我与若辩矣,若胜我,我不若胜,若果是也?我果非也邪?我胜若,若不吾胜,我果是也?而果非也邪?其或是也,其或非也邪?其俱是也,其俱非也邪?我与若不能相知也,则人固受其黮暗。吾谁使正之?使同乎若者正之,既与若同矣,恶能正之!使同乎我者正之,既同乎我矣,恶能正之!使异乎我与若者正之,既异乎我与若矣,恶能正之!使同乎我与若者正之,既同乎我与若矣,恶能正之!然则我与若与人俱不能相知也,而待彼也邪?何
化声之相待,若其不相待。和之以天倪,因之以曼衍,所以穷年也。
1谓和之以天倪?曰:是不是,然不然。是若果是也,则是之异乎不是也亦无辩;然若果然也,则然之异乎不然也亦无辩。
化声之相待,若其不相待。和之以天倪,因之以曼衍,所以穷年也。
2忘年忘义,振于无竟,故寓诸无竟。”
The Adjustment of Controversies:...:
Qu Quezi asked Chang Wuzi, saying, 'I heard the Master (speaking of such language as the following): "The sagely man does not occupy himself with worldly affairs. He does not put himself in the way of what is profitable, nor try to avoid what is hurtful; he has no pleasure in seeking (for anything from any one); he does not care to be found in (any established) Way; he speaks without speaking; he does not speak when he speaks; thus finding his enjoyment outside the dust and dirt (of the world)." The Master considered all this to be a shoreless flow of mere words, and I consider it to describe the course of the Mysterious Way - What do you, Sir, think of it?' Chang Wuzi replied, 'The hearing of such words would have perplexed even Huang Di, and how should Qiu be competent to understand them? And you, moreover, are too hasty in forming your estimate (of their meaning). You see the egg, and (immediately) look out for the cock (that is to be hatched from it); you see the bow, and (immediately) look out for the dove (that is to be brought down by it) being roasted. I will try to explain the thing to you in a rough way; do you in the same way listen to me. How could any one stand by the side of the sun and moon, and hold under his arm all space and all time? (Such language only means that the sagely man) keeps his mouth shut, and puts aside questions that are uncertain and dark; making his inferior capacities unite with him in honouring (the One Lord). Men in general bustle about and toil; the sagely man seems stupid and to know nothing. He blends ten thousand years together in the one (conception of time); the myriad things all pursue their spontaneous course, and they are all before him as doing so. 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? Li Ji was a daughter of the border Warden of Ai. When (the ruler of) the state of Jin first got possession of her, she wept till the tears wetted all the front of her dress. But when she came to the place of the king, shared with him his luxurious couch, and ate his grain-and-grass-fed meat, then she regretted that she had wept. How do I know that the dead do not repent of their former craving for life? Those who dream of (the pleasures of) drinking may in the morning wail and weep; those who dream of wailing and weeping may in the morning be going out to hunt. When they were dreaming they did not know it was a dream; in their dream they may even have tried to interpret it; but when they awoke they knew that it was a dream. And there is the great awaking, after which we shall know that this life was a great dream. All the while, the stupid think they are awake, and with nice discrimination insist on their knowledge; now playing the part of rulers, and now of grooms. Bigoted was that Qiu! He and you are both dreaming. I who say that you are dreaming am dreaming myself. These words seem very strange; but if after ten thousand ages we once meet with a great sage who knows how to explain them, it will be as if we met him (unexpectedly) some morning or evening.
Since you made me enter into this discussion with you, if you have got the better of me and not I of you, are you indeed right, and I indeed wrong? If I have got the better of you and not you of me, am I indeed right and you indeed wrong? Is the one of us right and the other wrong? are we both right or both wrong? Since we cannot come to a mutual and common understanding, men will certainly continue in darkness on the subject. Whom shall I employ to adjudicate in the matter? If I employ one who agrees with you, how can he, agreeing with you, do so correctly? If I employ one who agrees with me, how can he, agreeing with me, do so correctly? If I employ one who disagrees with you and I, how can he, disagreeing with you and I, do so correctly? If I employ one who agrees with you and I, how can he, agreeing with you and I, do so correctly? In this way I and you and those others would all not be able to come to a mutual understanding; and shall we then wait for that (great sage)? (We need not do so.) To wait on others to learn how conflicting opinions are changed is simply like not so waiting at all. The harmonising of them is to be found in the invisible operation of Heaven, and by following this on into the unlimited past. It is by this method that we can complete our years (without our minds being disturbed). What is meant by harmonising (conflicting opinions) in the invisible operation of Heaven? There is the affirmation and the denial of it; and there is the assertion of an opinion and the rejection of it. If the affirmation be according to the reality of the fact, it is certainly different from the denial of it - there can be no dispute about that. If the assertion of an opinion be correct, it is certainly different from its rejection - neither can there be any dispute about that. Let us forget the lapse of time; let us forget the conflict of opinions. Let us make our appeal to the Infinite, and take up our position there.'

1. 化声之相待,若其不相待。和之以天倪,因之以曼衍,所以穷年也。 : Moved here from entry 12.
2. 化声之相待,若其不相待。和之以天倪,因之以曼衍,所以穷年也。 : Moved to entry 12.

人间世 - Man in the World, Associated with other Men

English translation: James Legge [?]
Books referencing 《人间世》 Library Resources
5 人间世:
匠石之齐,至乎曲辕,见栎社树。其大蔽数千牛,洁之百围,其高临山十仞而后有枝,其可以为舟者旁十数。观者如市,匠伯不顾,遂行不辍。弟子厌观之,走及匠石,曰:“自吾执斧斤以随夫子,未尝见材如此其美也。先生不肯视,行不辍,何邪?”曰:“已矣,勿言之矣!散木也,以为舟则沈,以为棺椁则速腐,以为器则速毁,以为门户则液樠,以为柱则蠹。是不材之木也,无所可用,故能若是之寿。”匠石归,栎社见梦曰:“女将恶乎比予哉?若将比予于文木邪?夫柤、梨、橘、柚、果、蓏之属,实熟则剥,剥则辱,大枝折,小枝泄。此以其能苦其生者也,故不终其天年而中道夭,自掊击于世俗者也。物莫不若是。且予求无所可用久矣,几死,乃今得之,为予大用。使予也而有用,且得有此大也邪?且也,若与予也皆物也,奈何哉其相物也?而几死之散人,又恶知散木!”匠石觉而诊其梦。弟子曰:“趣取无用,则为社何邪?”曰:“密!若无言!彼亦直寄焉,以为不知己者诟厉也。不为社者,且几有翦乎!且也,彼其所保,与异,以义誉之,不亦远乎!”
Man in the World,...:
A (master) mechanic, called Shi, on his way to Qi, came to Qu-yuan, where he saw an oak-tree, which was used as the altar for the spirits of the land. It was so large that an ox standing behind it could not be seen. It measured a hundred spans round, and rose up eighty cubits on the hill before it threw out any branches, after which there were ten or so, from each of which a boat could be hollowed out. People came to see it in crowds as in a market place, but the mechanic did not look round at it, but held on his way without stopping. One of his workmen, however, looked long and admiringly at it, and then ran on to his master, and said to him, 'Since I followed you with my axe and bill, I have never seen such a beautiful mass of timber as this. Why would you, Sir, not look round at it, but went on without stopping?' 'Have done,' said Mr. Shi, 'and do not speak about it. It is quite useless. A boat made from its wood would sink; a coffin or shell would quickly rot; an article of furniture would soon go to pieces; a door would be covered with the exuding sap; a pillar would be riddled by insects; the material of it is good for nothing, and hence it is that it has attained to so great an age.'
When Mr. Shi was returning, the altar-oak appeared to him in a dream, and said, 'What other tree will you compare with me? Will you compare me to one of your ornamental trees? There are hawthorns, pear-trees, orange-trees, pummelo-trees, gourds and other low fruit-bearing plants. When their fruits are ripe, they are knocked down from them, and thrown among the dirt. The large branches are broken, and the smaller are torn away. So it is that their productive ability makes their lives bitter to them; they do not complete their natural term of existence, but come to a premature end in the middle of their time, bringing on themselves the destructive treatment which they ordinarily receive. It is so with all things. I have sought to discover how it was that I was so useless; I had long done so, till (the effort) nearly caused my death; and now I have learned it - it has been of the greatest use to me. Suppose that I had possessed useful properties, should I have become of the great size that I am? And moreover you and I are both things - how should one thing thus pass its judgment on another? how is it that you a useless man know all this about me a useless tree?' When Mr. Shih awoke, he kept thinking about his dream, but the workman said, 'Being so taken with its uselessness, how is it that it yet acts here as the altar for the spirits of the land?' 'Be still,' was the master's reply, 'and do not say a word. It simply happened to grow here; and thus those who do not know it do not speak ill of it as an evil thing. If it were not used as the altar, would it be in danger of being cut down? Moreover, the reason of its being preserved is different from that of the preservation of things generally; is not your explaining it from the sentiment which you have expressed wide of the mark?'

德充符 - The Seal of Virtue Complete

English translation: James Legge [?]
Books referencing 《德充符》 Library Resources
1 德充符:
鲁有兀者王骀,从之游者,与仲尼相若。常季问于仲尼曰:“王骀,兀者也,从之游者,与夫子中分鲁。立不教,坐不议,虚而往,实而归。固有不言之教,无形而心成者邪?是何人也?”仲尼曰:“夫子,圣人也。丘也,直后而未往耳。丘将以为师,而况不如丘者乎!奚假鲁国!丘将引天下而与从之。”常季曰:“彼兀者也,而王先生,其与庸亦远矣。若然者,其用心也,独若之何?”仲尼曰:“死生亦大矣,而不得与之变,虽天地覆坠,亦将不与之遗。审乎无假,而不与物迁,命物之化,而守其宗也。”常季曰:“何谓也?”仲尼曰:“自其异者视之,肝胆楚越也;自其同者视之,万物皆一也。夫若然者,且不知耳目之所宜,而游心于德之和,物视其所一,而不见其所丧,视丧其足,犹遗土也。”常季曰:“彼为己,以其知得其心,以其心得其常心,物何为最之哉?”仲尼曰:“人莫鉴于流水,而鉴于止水,唯止能止止。受命于地,唯松柏独也在,冬夏青青;受命于天,唯舜独也正,幸能正生,以正生。夫保始之徵,不惧之实。勇士一人,雄入于九军。将求名而能自要者,而犹若此,而况官天地,府万物,直寓六骸,象耳目,一知之所知,而心未尝死者乎!彼且择日而登假,人则从是也。彼且何肯以物为事乎!”
The Seal of Virtue...:
In Lu there was a Wang Tai who had lost both his feet; while his disciples who followed and went about with him were as numerous as those of Zhongni. Chang Ji asked Zhongni about him, saying, 'Though Wang Tai is a cripple, the disciples who follow him about divide Lu equally with you, Master. When he stands, he does not teach them; when he sits, he does not discourse to them. But they go to him empty, and come back full. Is there indeed such a thing as instruction without words? and while the body is imperfect, may the mind be complete? What sort of man is he?' Zhongni replied, 'This master is a sage. I have only been too late in going to him. I will make him my teacher; and how much more should those do so who are not equal to me! Why should only the state of Lu follow him? I will lead on all under heaven with me to do so.'
Chang Ji rejoined, 'He is a man who has lost his feet, and yet he is known as the venerable Wang - he must be very different from ordinary men. What is the peculiar way in which he employs his mind?' The reply was, 'Death and life are great considerations, but they could work no change in him. Though heaven and earth were to be overturned and fall, they would occasion him no loss. His judgment is fixed regarding that in which there is no element of falsehood; and, while other things change, he changes not. The transformations of things are to him the developments prescribed for them, and he keeps fast hold of the author of them.'
Chang Ji said, 'What do you mean?' 'When we look at things,' said Zhongni, 'as they differ, we see them to be different, (as for instance) the liver and the gall, or Chu and Yue; when we look at them, as they agree, we see them all to be a unity. So it is with this (Wang Tai). He takes no knowledge of the things for which his ears and eyes are the appropriate organs, but his mind delights itself in the harmony of (all excellent) qualities. He looks at the unity which belongs to things, and does not perceive where they have suffered loss. He looks on the loss of his feet as only the loss of so much earth.'
Chang Ji said, 'He is entirely occupied with his (proper) self. By his knowledge he has discovered (the nature of) his mind, and to that he holds as what is unchangeable; but how is it that men make so much of him?' The reply was, 'Men do not look into running water as a mirror, but into still water - it is only the still water that can arrest them all, and keep them (in the contemplation of their real selves). Of things which are what they are by the influence of the earth, it is only the pine and cypress which are the best instances - in winter as in summer brightly green. Of those which were what they were by the influence of Heaven, the most correct examples were Yao and Shun; fortunate in (thus) maintaining their own life correct, and so as to correct the lives of others. As a verification of the (power of) the original endowment, when it has been preserved, take the result of fearlessness - how the heroic spirit of a single brave soldier has been thrown into an army of nine hosts. If a man only seeking for fame and able in this way to secure it can produce such an effect, how much more (may we look for a greater result) from one whose rule is over heaven and earth, and holds all things in his treasury, who simply has his lodging in the six members of his body, whom his ears and eyes serve but as conveying emblematic images of things, who comprehends all his knowledge in a unity, and whose mind never dies! If such a man were to choose a day on which he would ascend far on high, men would (seek to) follow him there. But how should he be willing to occupy himself with other men?'

2 德充符:
申徒嘉,兀者也,而与郑子产同师于伯昏无人。子产谓申徒嘉曰:“我先出,则子止;子先出,则我止。”其明日,又与合堂同席而坐。子产谓申徒嘉曰:“我先出,则子止;子先出,则我止。今我将出,子可以止乎,其未邪?且子见执政而不违,子齐执政乎?”申徒嘉曰:“先生之门,固有执政焉如此哉?子而说子之执政而后人者也!闻之曰:‘鉴明则尘垢不止,止则不明也。久与贤人处,则无过。’今子之所取大者,先生也,而犹出言若是,不亦过乎!”子产曰:“子既若是矣,犹与尧争善,计子之德不足以自反邪?”申徒嘉曰:“自状其过以不当亡者,不状其过以不当存者寡。知不可奈何而安之若命,惟有德者能之。游于羿之彀中,中央者,中地也,然而不中者,命也。人以其全足笑吾不全足者多矣。我怫然而怒,而适先生之所,则废然而反。不知先生之洗我以善邪!吾与夫子游十九年矣,而未尝知吾兀者也。今子与我游于形骸之内,而子索我于形骸之外,不亦过乎!”子产蹴然改容更貌曰:“子无乃称!”
The Seal of Virtue...:
Shen-tu Jia was (another) man who had lost his feet. Along with Zi-chan of Zheng he studied under the master Bo-hun Wu-ren. Zi-chan said to him (one day), 'If I go out first, do you remain behind; and if you go out first, I will remain behind.' Next day they were again sitting together on the same mat in the hall, when Zi-chan said (again), 'If I go out first, do you remain behind; and if you go out first, I will remain behind. Now I am about to go out; will you stay behind or not? Moreover, when you see one of official rank (like myself), you do not try to get out of his way - do you consider yourself equal to one of official rank?' Shen-tu Jia replied, 'In our Master's school is there indeed such recognition required of official rank? You are one, Sir, whose pleasure is in your official rank, and would therefore take precedence of other men. I have heard that when a mirror is bright, the dust does not rest on it; when dust rests on it the mirror is not bright. When one dwells long with a man of ability and virtue, he comes to be without error. There now is our teacher whom you have chosen to make you greater than you are; and when you still talk in this way, are you not in error?' Zi-chan rejoined, 'A (shattered) object as you are, you would still strive to make yourself out as good as Yao! If I may form an estimate of your virtue, might it not be sufficient to lead you to the examination of yourself?' The other said, 'Most criminals, in describing their offences, would make it out that they ought not to have lost (their feet) for them; few would describe them so as to make it appear that they should not have preserved their feet. They are only the virtuous who know that such a calamity was unavoidable, and therefore rest in it as what was appointed for them. When men stand before (an archer like) Yi with his bent bow, if they are in the middle of his field, that is the place where they should be hit; and if they be not hit, that also was appointed. There are many with their feet entire who laugh at me because I have lost my feet, which makes me feel vexed and angry. But when I go to our teacher, I throw off that feeling, and return (to a better mood) - he has washed, without my knowing it, the other from me by (his instructions in) what is good. I have attended him now for nineteen years, and have not known that I am without my feet. Now, you, Sir, and I have for the object of our study the (virtue) which is internal, and not an adjunct of the body, and yet you are continually directing your attention to my external body - are you not wrong in this?' Zi-chan felt uneasy, altered his manner and looks, and said, 'You need not, Sir, say anything more about it.'

大宗师 - The Great and Most Honoured Master

English translation: James Legge [?]
Books referencing 《大宗师》 Library Resources
1 大宗师:
知天之所为,知人之所为者,至矣。知天之所为者,天而生也;知人之所为者,以其知之所知,以养其知之所不知,终其天年而不中道夭者,是知之盛也。虽然,有患。夫知有所待而后当,其所待者特未定也。庸讵知吾所谓天之非人乎?所谓人之非天乎?且有真人,而后有真知。
The Great and Most...:
He who knows the part which the Heavenly (in him) plays, and knows (also) that which the Human (in him ought to) play, has reached the perfection (of knowledge). He who knows the part which the Heavenly plays (knows) that it is naturally born with him; he who knows the part which the Human ought to play (proceeds) with the knowledge which he possesses to nourish it in the direction of what he does not (yet) know: to complete one's natural term of years and not come to an untimely end in the middle of his course is the fulness of knowledge. Although it be so, there is an evil (attending this condition). Such knowledge still awaits the confirmation of it as correct; it does so because it is not yet determined. How do we know that what we call the Heavenly (in us) is not the Human? and that what we call the Human is not the Heavenly? There must be the True man, and then there is the True knowledge.
何谓真人?古之真人,不逆寡,不雄成,不谟士。若然者,过而弗悔,当而不自得也。若然者,登高不栗,入水不濡,入火不热。是知之能登假于道也若此。
What is meant by 'the True Man?' The True men of old did not reject (the views of) the few; they did not seek to accomplish (their ends) like heroes (before others); they did not lay plans to attain those ends. Being such, though they might make mistakes, they had no occasion for repentance; though they might succeed, they had no self-complacency. Being such, they could ascend the loftiest heights without fear; they could pass through water without being made wet by it; they could go into fire without being burnt; so it was that by their knowledge they ascended to and reached the Dao.
古之真人,其寝不梦,其觉无忧,其食不甘,其息深深。真人之息以踵,人之息以喉。屈服者,其嗌言若哇。其耆欲深者,其天机浅。
The True men of old did not dream when they slept, had no anxiety when they awoke, and did not care that their food should be pleasant. Their breathing came deep and silently. The breathing of the true man comes (even) from his heels, while men generally breathe (only) from their throats. When men are defeated in argument, their words come from their gullets as if they were vomiting. Where lusts and desires are deep, the springs of the Heavenly are shallow.
古之真人,不知说生,不知恶死;其出不欣,其入不距;翛然而往,翛然而来而已矣。不忘其所始,不求其所终;受而喜之,忘而复之。是之谓不以心捐道,不以人助天。是之谓真人。若然者,其心志,其容寂,其颡頯,凄然似秋,暖然似春,喜怒通四时,与物有宜,而莫知其极。故圣人之用兵也,亡国而不失人心;利泽施于万物,不为爱人。故乐通物,非圣人也;有亲,非仁也;天时,非贤也;利害不通,非君子也;行名失己,非士也;亡身不真,非役人也。若狐不偕、务光、伯夷、叔齐、箕子胥馀、纪他、申徒狄,是役人之役,适人之适,而不自适其适者也。
The True men of old knew nothing of the love of life or of the hatred of death. Entrance into life occasioned them no joy; the exit from it awakened no resistance. Composedly they went and came. They did not forget what their beginning bad been, and they did not inquire into what their end would be. They accepted (their life) and rejoiced in it; they forgot (all fear of death), and returned (to their state before life). Thus there was in them what is called the want of any mind to resist the Dao, and of all attempts by means of the Human to assist the Heavenly. Such were they who are called the True men. Being such, their minds were free from all thought; their demeanour was still and unmoved; their foreheads beamed simplicity. Whatever coldness came from them was like that of autumn; whatever warmth came from them was like that of spring. Their joy and anger assimilated to what we see in the four seasons. They did in regard to all things what was suitable, and no one could know how far their action would go. Therefore the sagely man might, in his conduct of war, destroy a state without losing the hearts of the people; his benefits and favours might extend to a myriad generations without his being a lover of men. Hence he who tries to share his joys with others is not a sagely man; he who manifests affection is not benevolent; he who observes times and seasons (to regulate his conduct) is not a man of wisdom; he to whom profit and injury are not the same is not a superior man; he who acts for the sake of the name of doing so, and loses his (proper) self is not the (right) scholar; and he who throws away his person in a way which is not the true (way) cannot command the service of others. Such men as Hu Bu-jie, Wu Guang, Bo-yi, Shu-Qi, the count of Ji, Xu-yu, Ji Ta, and Shen-tu Di, all did service for other men, and sought to secure for them what they desired, not seeking their own pleasure.
古之真人,其状义而不朋,若不足而不承,与乎其觚而不坚也,张乎其虚而不华也,邴邴乎其似喜乎!崔乎其不得已乎!滀乎进我色也,与乎止我德也,厉乎其似世乎!謷乎其未可制也,连乎其似好闭也,悗乎忘其言也。以刑为体,以礼为翼,以知为时,以德为循。以刑为体者,绰乎其杀也;以礼为翼者,所以行于世也;以知为时者,不得已于事也;以德为循者,言其与有足者至于丘也,而人真以为勤行者也。故其好之也一,其弗好之也一。其一也一,其不一也一。其一,与天为徒;其不一,与人为徒。天与人不相胜也,是之谓真人。
The True men of old presented the aspect of judging others aright, but without being partisans; of feeling their own insufficiency, but being without flattery or cringing. Their peculiarities were natural to them, but they were not obstinately attached to them; their humility was evident, but there was nothing of unreality or display about it. Their placidity and satisfaction had the appearance of joy; their every movement seemed to be a necessity to them. Their accumulated attractiveness drew men's looks to them; their blandness fixed men's attachment to their virtue. They seemed to accommodate themselves to the (manners of their age), but with a certain severity; their haughty indifference was beyond its control. Unceasing seemed their endeavours to keep (their mouths) shut; when they looked down, they had forgotten what they wished to say. They considered punishments to be the substance (of government, and they never incurred it); ceremonies to be its supporting wings (and they always observed them); wisdom (to indicate) the time (for action, and they always selected it); and virtue to be accordance (with others), and they were all-accordant. Considering punishments to be the substance (of government), yet their generosity appeared in the (manner of their) infliction of death. Considering ceremonies to be its supporting wings, they pursued by means of them their course in the world. Considering wisdom to indicate the time (for action), they felt it necessary to employ it in (the direction of) affairs. Considering virtue to be accordance (with others), they sought to ascend its height along with all who had feet (to climb it). (Such were they), and yet men really thought that they did what they did by earnest effort. In this way they were one and the same in all their likings and dislikings. Where they liked, they were the same; where they did not like, they were the same. In the former case where they liked, they were fellow-workers with the Heavenly (in them); in the latter where they disliked, they were co-workers with the Human in them. The one of these elements (in their nature) did not overcome the other. Such were those who are called the True men.

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