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

sublimity of righteousness and proper conduct."Tse-Chan did as Teng-hsi had advised, and taking anopportunity of seeing his brothers said to them:“That in which man is superior to beasts and birds arehis mental faculties. Through them he gets righteousnessand propriety, and so glory and rank fall to his share.You are only moved by what excites your sense, andindulge only in licentious desires, endangering your livesand natures.“Hear my words. Repent in the morning, and in theevening you will have already gained the wage that willsupport you."Chow and Mu said:“Long ago we knew it and made our choice.“Nor had we to wait for your instructions to enlightenus.“It is very difficult to preserve life, and easy to come byone's death. Yet who would think of awaiting death,which comes so easily, on account of the difficulty ofpreserving life?“You value proper conduct and righteousness in order toexcel before others, and you do violence to your feelingsand nature in striving for glory. That to us appears to beworse than death.