Bit by Bit - Chapter 5, Part 3

Trey Smith

Ch'ang Chi said, "In the way he goes about it, he uses his knowledge to get at his mind, and uses his mind to get at the constant mind. Why should things gather around him?"

Confucius said, "Men do not mirror themselves in running water - they mirror themselves in still water. Only what is still can still the stillness of other things. Of those that receive life from the earth, the pine and cypress alone are best - they stay as green as ever in winter or summer. Of those that receive life from Heaven, Yao and Shun alone are best - they stand at the head of the ten thousand things. Luckily they were able to order their lives, and thereby order the lives of other things. Proof that a man is holding fast to the beginning lies in the fact of his fearlessness. A brave soldier will plunge alone into the midst of nine armies. He seeks fame and can bring himself to this. How much more, then, is possible for a man who governs Heaven and earth, stores up the ten thousand things, lets the six parts of his body be only a dwelling, makes ornaments of his ears and eyes, unifies the knowledge of what he knows, and in his mind never tastes death. He will soon choose the day and ascend far off. Men may become his followers, but how could he be willing to bother himself about things?"
~ Burton Watson translation ~

In a previous entry for this chapter, I mentioned the opulence of modern-day soothsayers.  As I stated, their drive for material wealth tells you a lot about them.  Another thing that should make you suspicious of their true motives concerns numbers.  Most of them are overly preoccupied with the numbers of people or endorsements they can attract.

Their message -- whatever it is -- has little to do with educating or attempting to enlighten others.  No, their prime motivation is to build up market shares and, concurrently, their influence and/or personal wealth!

To view the Index page for this series, go here.