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

the present, and cannot really give way to these feelingsfor one hour.“How do they really differ from chained criminals?“The Ancients knew that all creatures enter but for ashort while into life, and must suddenly depart in death.Therefore they gave way to their impulses and did notcheck their natural propensities.“They denied themselves nothing that could givepleasure to their bodies; consequently, as they were notseeking fame. but were following their own nature, theywent smoothly on, never at variance with theirinclinations. They did not seek for posthumous fame.They neither did anything criminal, and of glory andfame, rank and position, as well as of the span of theirlife they took no heed."