Chuang Tzu with his bamboo pole was fishing in the Pu river. The prince of Chu sent two vice-chancellors with a formal document: We hereby appoint you prime minister. Chuang Tzu held…

“It is necessary,” argued Discontent, “to cling to reputation. If all pleasures are to be denied to the body and one’s energies to be concentrated upon health with a view to the…

Shao Chih asked T’ai Kung Tiao, saying, “What is meant by society?” “Society,” replied T’ai Kung Tiao, “is an agreement of a certain number of families and individuals to abide by certain…

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…

Argument:—Greatness and smallness always relative—Time and space infinite—Abstract dimensions do not exist—Their expression is concrete—Terms are not absolute—Like causes produce unlike effects—In the unconditioned alone can the absolute exist—The only absolute is Tao—Illustrations.…

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…

Argument:—Life too short—Wisdom unattainable—Accommodation to circumstances—Liberty paramount—Death a release—The soul immortal. Prince Hui’s cook was cutting up a bullock. Every blow of his hand, every heave of his shoulders, every tread of…

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.…

Of old, Shun asked Yao, saying, “How does your Majesty employ your faculties?” “I am not arrogant towards the defenceless,” replied Yao. “I do not neg lect the poor. I grieve for…