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

“Alas!" cried Confucius, “you will only succeed inbringing evil upon yourself. For Tao must not bedistributed. If it is, it will lose its unity. If it loses itsunity, it will be uncertain; and so cause mentaldisturbance,--from which there is no escape.”“The Sages of old first got Tao for themselves, and thengot it for others. Before you possess this yourself, whatleisure have you to attend to the doings of wicked men?Besides, do you know what Virtue results in, and whereWisdom ends? Virtue results in a desire for fame; wisdomends in contentions. In the struggle for fame men crushone another, while their wisdom but provokes rivalry.Both are baleful instruments, and may not beincautiously used. . . . But of course you have a scheme.Tell it to me."“Gravity of demeanour," replied Yen Hui, “anddispassionateness; energy and singleness of purpose,--will this do?"“Alas!" said Confucius, “that will not do. If you make ashow of being perfect and obtrude yourself, the Prince'smood will be doubtful. Ordinarily, he is not opposed,and so he has come to take actual pleasure in tramplingupon the feelings of others. And if he has thus failed inthe practice of routine virtues, do you expect that he willtake readily to higher ones? You may insist, but withoutresult. Outwardly you will be right, but inwardly wrong.How then will you make him mend his ways? . . Yourfirmness will secure you from harm; but that is all. Youwill not influence him to such an extent that he shall