‘Perfect balance is found in still waters. Such water should be an example to us all. Inner harmony is protected and nothing external affects it. Virtue is the result of true balance. Virtue has no shape or form yet nothing can be without it,’ said Confucius.
A few days later, Duke Ai commented to Ming Tzu27 on this discussion, saying, ‘To begin with, I took up the position of authority and became a ruler of all under Heaven, caring for the people and concerned lest they die. I perceived this as being perfect. Now, hearing the thoughts of the perfect man, I fear that I really understood very little, for I cared more for my own self than for the country. Confucius and I are not in a relationship of subject and nobleman, for our friendship is founded upon Virtue.’
The Crooked Man with No Lips offered advice to Duke Ling of Wei, who greatly appreciated his words of advice, so much so that he thought ordinary people had backs too straight and lips too big. The Man with a Jug-sized Goitre offered advice to Duke Huan of Chi. Duke Huan appreciated his counsel, so much so that he thought ordinary people had necks which were too thin and short. If virtue is foremost, the physical body is ignored. When people do not ignore what they should ignore, but ignore what they should not ignore, this is known as true ignorance. The sage sees his role as that of a wanderer, sees knowledge as a curse, convention as a glue, virtue as just a means, and effort as common trade. The sage has no great plans, so what use has he for knowledge? He makes no divisions, so what use has he for glue? He has no problems, so what use has he for virtue? He has no career, so what need has he for common trade? These four, they are the nourishment of Heaven. Fed by Heaven, he is nourished by Heaven. As he loves being nourished by Heaven, he has no need of humanity! He has the form of a man, but not the emotions of a man. Because he has the form of a man, he can be amongst men, but not having the emotions of a man, he does not have to follow the ways of right and wrong. Inconsequential and small, he stays amongst men! Substantial and large, he is at one with Heaven!
Hui Tzu asked Chuang Tzu, ‘Is it possible for someone to be without emotion?’
‘Certainly,’ said Chuang Tzu.
‘A man without emotion – can you really call him a man?’ asked Hui Tzu.
Chuang Tzu replied, ‘The Way gives him a face and Heaven provides a shape, so how can it follow he is not called a man?’
‘But if he is already called a man, how can it follow that he has no emotion?’
‘That’s not what I mean by emotions,’ said Chuang Tzu. ‘When I say a man has no emotions, what I mean by this is someone who does not allow either the good or the bad to have any effect upon him. He lets all things be and allows life to continue in its own way.’
Hui Tzu said, ‘If he doesn’t interfere with life, then how does he take care of himself?’
‘The Way gives him a face and Heaven provides a shape. He does not allow either the good or the bad to have any effect on him. But you now, you wear your soul on your sleeve, exhausting your energy, propping yourself up on a tree, mumbling, or bent over your desk, asleep. Heaven gives you a form and you wear it out by pointless argument!’
CHAPTER 6
The Great and Original Teacher
The one who understands Heaven and understands the ways of humanity has perfection. Understanding Heaven, he grows with Heaven. Understanding humanity, he takes the understanding of what he understands to help him understand what he doesn’t understand, and so fulfils the years Heaven decrees without being cut off in his prime. This is known as perfection.
However, it is true that there are problems. Real understanding has to have something to which it is applied and this something is itself uncertain. So how can I know that what I term Heaven is not human? Or that what I call human is not Heaven?
Only the true man has understanding. So what is a true man? The true man of old did not fight against poverty, nor did he look for fulfilment through riches – for he had no grand plans. Therefore, he never regretted any failure, nor exulted in success. He could scale the heights without fear, plumb the depths without difficulties and go through fire without pain. This is the kind of person whose understanding has lifted him up towards the Tao.
The true man of old slept without dreaming and awoke without anxiety. He ate without tasting, breathing deeply, incredibly deeply. The true man breathes from his feet up, while ordinary people just breathe from the throat. The words of broken people come forth like vomit. Wallowing in lust and desire, they are but shallow in the ways of Heaven.
The true man of old did not hold on to life, nor did he fear death. He arrived without expectation and left without resistance. He went calmly, he came calmly and that was that. He did not set out to forget his origin, nor was he interested in what would become of him. He loved to receive anything but also forgot what he had received and gave it away. He did not give precedence to the heart but to the Tao, nor did he prefer the ways of humanity to those of Heaven. This is what is known as a true man.
Being like this, his heart forgets,
his appearance is calm,
his forehead is plain;
He is as chilly as autumn and as warming as spring.
His joy and anger arise like the four seasons.
He acts properly towards all
