There is no greater evil than for the mind to be aware of virtue, and to act as though it were a pair of eyes. For when it starts acting like a pair of eyes, it will peer out from within, and when it peers out from within, it is ruined. There are five types of dangerous virtue, of which inner virtue is the worst. What do I mean by inner virtue? He who possesses inner virtue will think himself always in the right, and denigrate those who do not do as he does.Go here to read the introductory post to the chapters of the Book of Chuang Tzu.
There are eight extremes that bring a man trouble, three conditions necessary for advancement, and six repositories of punishment. Beauty, a fine beard, a tall stature, brawn, strength, style, bravery, decisiveness - when a man has all these to a degree that surpasses others, they will bring him trouble.
Tagging along with things, bobbing and weaving, cringing and fawning - if a man can do all three of these in a way that others do not, then he will succeed in advancing. Wisdom and knowledge, and the outward recognition they involve; bravery and decisiveness, and the numerous resentments they arouse; benevolence and righteousness, and all the responsibilities they involve - these six are what will bring you punishment.
He who has mastered the true form of life is a giant; he who has mastered understanding is petty. He who has mastered the Great Fate follows along; he who has mastered the little fates must take what happens to come his way.
~ Burton Watson translation via Terebess Asia Online ~
Friday, July 8, 2011
Chapter 32, Part 11B - Chuang Tzu
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are unmoderated, so you can write whatever you want.