The modest gain, the self-satisfied lose The more unlikely I am to be successful, the more diligently will I study. What have I to do with fate? Teach children that in friendship one should be one, and two, two; there must be no deception. Let the root be good, and the fruit shall not be evil. Culture in manners will make the blustering soldier view the Shi and Shu as his coat of mail. Becoming manners shall bring back the lovely unity of ancient virtues. Do you think that, by bearing with insulting persons, I shall fall into dishonor? Should right principles be separated from right manners, they would no longer be right principles. But without sincerity manners are mere apish bowing and scraping. Those who say conscience may be good enough, but it does not supply one with food, are fit materials for the cord and the bamboo. Set not others at variance. Suppress slanders, and protect the innocent. Frame not indict ments to defraud and oppress. Maintain a love of harmony, that throughout your families the common speech shall be, "Let us help one another." Then shall the world be at peace. Let young and old be as one body, their joys and sorrows as of one family. Let the instructed lead the way by example. Let the unity of the empire extend to myriad countries, and spread harmony through the world. Though at the height of fame, you ought in the watches of the night to lay your hand on your breast and ask yourself, "Have I cause of shame or not?" KUAN-YI-WU. ON LIFE 500 B.C. ALLOW the ear to hear what it likes, the eye to see what it likes, the mouth to say what it likes, the body to enjoy the comforts it likes to have, and the mind to do what it likes. Now, what the ear likes to hear is music, and the prohibition of it is what I call obstruction to the ear. What the eye likes to look at is beauty, and its not being permitted to regard this beauty I call obstruction of sight. What the nose likes to smell is perfume, and its not being permitted to smell I call obstruction to scent. What the mouth likes to talk about is right and wrong; and if it is not permitted to speak, I call it obstruction of the understanding. The comforts the body enjoys to have are rich food and fine clothing, and if it is not permitted, then I call that obstruction of the senses of the body. |