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

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

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it preserves us and brute force despised because itencroaches upon things.“But I am not the owner <strong>of</strong> my own body, for I, when Iam born, must complete it, nor do I possess things, forhaving got them, I must part with them again. <strong>The</strong> bodyis essential for birth, but things are essential for itsmaintenance.“If there were a body born complete I could not possessit, and I could not possess things not to be parted with.For possessing a body or things would be unlawfullyappropriating a body belonging to the whole universe,and appropriating things belonging to the universewhich no sage would do.“He who regards as common property a bodyappertaining to the universe and the things <strong>of</strong> the <strong>of</strong> theuniverse is a perfect man.“And that is the highest degree <strong>of</strong> perfection."notes[1] <strong>The</strong> moral life <strong>of</strong> men is based on five principles (virtues), benevolence, uprightness,propriety, knowledge, and good faith.

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