Duke AI of Lu said to Yen Ho, "If I were to make Confucius my pillar and stanchion, do you think it would improve the health of the state?"Go here to read the introductory post to the chapters of the Book of Chuang Tzu.
"Beware - that way lies danger! Confucius will deck things out in feathers and paint, and conduct his affairs with flowery phrases, mistaking side issues for the crux. He is willing to distort his inborn nature in order to make himself a model for the people, not even realizing that he is acting in bad faith. He takes everything to heart, submits all to the judgment of the spirit - how could such a man be worth putting in charge of the people? Does he meet with your approval? Would you like to provide for his support?
"It would be a mistake, but you may do it if you like. Yet one who would induce the people to turn their backs on reality and study hypocrisy is hardly fit to be made a model for the people. If we are to take thought for later ages, it would be best to drop the scheme.
~ Burton Watson translation via Terebess Asia Online ~
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Chapter 32, Part 9A - Chuang Tzu
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are unmoderated, so you can write whatever you want.