Thursday, July 7, 2011

Chapter 32, Part 9B - Chuang Tzu

"Governing is a difficult thing. To dispense favors to men without ever forgetting that you are doing so - this is not Heaven's way of giving. Even merchants and peddlers are unwilling to be ranked with such a person; and although their occupations may seem to rank them with him, in their hearts they will never acquiesce to such a ranking.

"External punishments are administered by implements of metal and wood; internal punishments are inflicted by frenzy and excess. When the petty man meets with external punishments, the implements of metal and wood bear down on him; when he incurs internal punishment, the yin and yang eat him up. To escape both external and internal punishment - only the True Man is capable of this."
~ Burton Watson translation via Terebess Asia Online
~ Go here to read the introductory post to the chapters of the Book of Chuang Tzu.

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