The Three Principle Texts of Daoism translated by ... - Bad Request

“The Five Emperors excelled in the exercise of altruismand righteousness. I do not know that they were sages."“And the Three Sovereigns [3] : surely they were sages?”“The Three Sovereigns excelled in the virtues that weresuited to their age. But whether they were sages or no Ireally cannot say."The wide learning of Confucius, the warlike prowess ofT'ang and Wu, the humility and self-abnegation of Yao,and Shun, the rude simplicity of Fu Hsi and Shên Nung,simply represent the ordinary activities of the sage whoaccommodates himself to the necessities of the world helives in. They are not the qualities which make themsages. Those qualities are truly such as neither word nordeed can adequately express.“Why, who is there, then," cried the minister, muchastonished, “that is really a sage?" The expression ofConfucius' countenance changed, and he replied after apause: “Among the people of the West a true sage dwells.He governs not, yet there is no disorder. He speaks not,yet he is naturally trusted. He makes no reforms, yetright conduct is spontaneous and universal. So great andincomprehensible is he that the people can find no nameto call him by. I suspect that this man is a sage, butwhether in truth he is a sage or is not a sage I do notknow."The minister from Shang meditated awhile in silence.