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

On their return, the whole family fell to beating theirbreasts in despair, and uttered imprecations on Mr Shih.Mr Shih, however, said: “Success consists in hitting offthe right moment, while missing it means failure. Yourmethod was identical with ours, only the result wasdifferent. That is not due to any flaw in the action itself,but simply because it was not well timed. Nothing, in theordering of this world, is either at all times right or at alltimes wrong. What formerly passed current maynowadays be rejected; what is now rejected may by and bycome into use again. The fact that a thing is in use or indisuse forms no criterion whatever of right or wrong.There is no fixed rule for seizing opportunities, hittingoff the right moment, or adapting oneself tocircumstances; it is all a matter of native wit. If you aredeficient in that, you may possess the learning of aConfucius or the strategical gifts of a Lü Shang, and yetyou will remain poor wherever you go."The Mêng family were now in a more resigned frame ofmind, and their indignation had subsided. “Yes, you areright," they said; “please say no more about it."