the devotions of Virtue.

Life is the brightness of Virtue.

Innate nature is what motivates life.

Motivation which is untrue is lost.

Knowledge extends and knowledge plans.

But knowing what is not known is like looking at things like a child.

Action which arises because you cannot stop yourself is called Virtue.

When action arises from self, this is called governing.

These titles seem to contradict each other but in fact they agree.

Yi the Archer was a master at hitting the centre of the tiniest target, but he was foolish in that he could not stop wanting praise from others. The sage is skilful with regards to Heaven, but foolish in his dealings with people. Being skilful in both Heavenly concerns and human affairs is the mark of a complete man. Only an insect can be an insect, because what they are is given by Heaven. Does the complete man dislike Heaven? Does he hate what is of Heaven in people? If so, then imagine how much he hates the element of egocentricity in himself, which sets him and the rest of humanity above Heaven!

If a sparrow flew past Yi, he would have him, so good was he at his art. If everywhere in the world were to be caged, then the sparrows would be unable to escape. Indeed, this was why Tang caged Yi Yin by making him his cook and Duke Mu of Chin caged Po Li Hsi at the cost of five rams’ skins. However, if you wish to cage people, you must use the things they like or you will never be successful.

A man whose feet have been chopped off casts aside fancy clothes, because his external appearance is incapable of being admired. A criminal condemned to death will scale the highest peaks, because he has no fear of life or death. If someone ignores the advances of friendship, he forgets about others and through forgetting others he is viewed as a man of Heaven. Such a person can be treated with respect, which will not please him, or be treated with contempt, which will not make him angry. This is because he is part of the Heavenly unity. Anyone who expresses anger but is not really angry will exhibit non-anger. Anyone who acts yet is not really acting, his actions will be non-action. If he wants to be still, he must be at peace. If he wants to be spiritual, he must calm his heart. When he wants to act, and to be successful, then he is moved by a force beyond him. That which one does because it is impossible to do other, that is the Tao of the sage.

CHAPTER 24

Hsu Wu Kuei

Through the kind offices of Nu Shang, Hsu Wu Kuei was able to see Marquis Wu of Wei. Marquis Wu greeted him fondly saying, ‘Sir, you are unwell! The rigours of living in the wild mountain forests have been so great, and yet you have been kind enough to come and see me.’

To this Hsu Wu Kuei replied, ‘I have come to comfort you, Sir, not for you to comfort me! Now, Sir, if you persist in sating your sensual appetites and desires and engaging in likes and dislikes, then you will adversely affect your true innate nature and your destiny. And if, Sir, you try to desist from sating your appetites and desires and make yourself change your likes and dislikes, then your ears and eyes will be afflicted. I have come to comfort you, and you, Sir, wish to comfort me!’

Marquis Wu looked very scornful and made no reply.

A little later Hsu Wu Kuei said, ‘Let me tell you, Sir, how I judge dogs. The lowest kind of dog grabs his food, gorges himself and then stops, having the virtues of a fox. The ordinary sort of dog is always staring arrogantly at the sun. The most superior kind of dog appears to have forgotten himself. That is how I judge dogs, but that is nothing in comparison with how I judge horses. I judge horses by whether they run straight as a line, or curve round holding the centre, or turn as on a T-square, or circle like a compass. Such a horse I describe as being indeed a national horse, but not an international horse. A truly international horse is complete. He looks anxious, he appears to lose his way, to forget himself. However, a horse like this suddenly prances along or rushes past, kicking up the dust, and no one knows where he has gone.’

The Marquis was very pleased, and laughed.

Hsu Wu Kuei came out and Nu Shang said, ‘Sir, what did you discuss with the ruler? When I discuss with him, I do so in a roundabout way using the Book of Poetry and the Book of History, and in this way I can discuss rituals and music. More directly, I use the Golden Tablets and the Six Bow Cases, and so guide him in decisions which have been very successful. Yet in all our meetings I have never seen him smile. So what is it that you discuss that makes him so pleased?’

‘I simply explained how I judge dogs and horses,’ said Hsu Wu Kuei.

‘That was it?’

‘Have you never heard of the exile from Yueh?’ said Hsu Wu Kuei. ‘A few days after leaving the country he was delighted if he met someone he had known in the country. A month after leaving the country he was delighted if he met someone he had seen in the country. A year after leaving the country he was delighted to meet someone who just looked as if he came from the country. The longer he was absent from his country, the more fond of it he became, is this not so? Those people who have retreated into the wild valleys where thick bushes block the path of even the weasels, and who have to struggle to move around, are delighted if they hear even the sound of a human footstep.

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