Lieh Tzŭ was poor. His face wore a hungry look. A visitor one day mentioned this to Tzŭ Yang, Prime Minister of Chêng, saying, “Lieh Tzŭ is a scholar who has attained…
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How to govern
Yang Tzŭ Chü went to see Lao Tzŭ, and said, “Suppose a man were ardent and courageous, acquainted with the order and principles of things, and untiring in the pursuit of Tao—would he be…
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Man among men
A certain artisan was travelling to the Ch’i State. On reaching Ch’ü-yüan, he saw a sacred li tree (a worthless species of oak), large enough to hide an ox behind it, a hundred spans…
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The way of Chuang Tzu
Understanding the nature of desireWhen he tries to extend his power over objects,those objects gain control of him.He who is controlled by objects loses possession of his inner self… Prisoners in the…
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Exercise of faculties
Argument:—Tao unattainable by mundane arts—To be reached through repose—The world’s infancy—The reign of peace—Government sets in—Tao declines—The true Sages of old—Their purity of aim. Those who exercise their faculties in mere worldly studies, hoping thereby…
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When Yao ruled the world
When Yao was ruling the world, Po Ch’eng Tzu-kao was appointed by him prince of one of the states. From Yao the throne passed to Shun, and from Shun again to Yu;…
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A contract is more than a scrap of paper
Duke Wen of Tsin, in going to attack the Yüan State, assured his ministers that the enemy would submit in three days, and he converted them to his enterprise by this hope.…