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

“Our only fear is lest, wishing to gaze our fill at all thebeauties of this one life, and to exhaust all the pleasuresof the present years, the repletion of the belly shouldprevent us from drinking what our palate delights in, orthe slackening of our strength not allow us to revel withpretty women.“We have no time to trouble about bad reputations ormental dangers. Therefore for you to argue with us anddisturb our minds merely because you surpass others inability to govern, and to try and allure us with promisesof glory and appointments, is indeed shameful anddeplorable.“But we will now settle the question with you.“See now. If anybody knows how to regulate externalthings, the things do not of necessity become regulated,and his body has still to toil and labour. But if anybodyknows how to regulate internals, the things go on allright, and the mind obtains peace and rest.“Your system of regulating external things will dotemporarily and for a single kingdom, but it is not inharmony with the human heart, while our method ofregulating internals can be extended to the wholeuniverse, and there would be no more princes andministers.“We always desired to propagate this doctrine of ours,and now you would teach us yours."