Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Yang Zhu, Chapter 4

DEATH THE EQUALIZER

YANG CHU said:

"That in which all beings differ is life, that in which they are all alike is death.

"During life there is the difference of intelligence and dullness, honor and meanness, but in death there is the equality of rottenness and putrefaction. Neither can be prevented. Although intelligence and dullness, honor and meanness exist, no human power can affect them, just as rottenness and putrefaction cannot be prevented. Human beings cannot make life and death, intelligence and stupidity, honorableness and meanness, what they are, for all beings live and die equally, are equally wise and stupid, honorable and mean.

"Some die at the age of ten, some at one hundred. The wise and benevolent die as the cruel and imbecile.

"In life they are known as Yao and Shun; dead they are so many bones which cannot be distinguished. But if we hasten to enjoy our life, we have no time to trouble about what comes after death."
Translator of Yang Zhu's Garden of Pleasure is Anton Forke. If you missed any posts in this series, please utilize the Yang Zhu label below.

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