This is like saying that you are going to make Heaven your master and do away with Earth, or make Yin your master and do away with Yang. Now do you say, that you are going to make Right your master and do away with Wrong, or make Order your master and do away with Disorder? If you do, then you have not understood the principle of heaven and earth or the nature of the ten thousand things. The horned owl catches fleas at night and can spot the tip of a hair, but when daylight comes, no matter how wide it opens its eyes, it cannot see a mound or a hill - this refers to a difference in nature. Thoroughbreds like Qiji and Hualiu could gallop a thousand li in one day, but when it came to catching rats they were no match for the wildcat or the weasel - this refers to a difference in skill. “A beam or pillar can be used to batter down a city wall, but it is no good for stopping up a little hole - this refers to a difference in function. Since it would not be endangered by an axe, what could threaten its existence? It is useless to you only because you want to make it into something else and do not use it in its proper way.” But you could make use of the shade it provides, rest under its sheltering branches, and stroll beneath it, admiring its character and appearance. "You complain that your tree is not valuable as lumber. Therefore, no one pays attention to them." Your teachings are the same - useless, without value. No builder would turn his head to look at it. Its branches and trunk are crooked and tough, covered with bumps and depressions. We will let a selection from the writings of Chuang-tse illustrate: Hui-tse said to Chuang-tse, "I have a large tree which no carpenter can cut into lumber. “.you'd be surprised how many people violate this simple principle every day of their lives and try to fit square pegs into round holes, ignoring the clear reality that Things Are As They Are. Lieh-tzu: A Taoist Guide to Practical Living How different is this from the life of a slave or a prisoner?” In the end, they've spent their lives following other people's demands and never lived a life of their own. Everything they do is dictated by whether it can get them social gains. They can no longer see, hear, act, feel, or think from their hearts. Perhaps this gives them the feeling that they have achieved something in their lives, but in reality they have sacrificed a lot in life. Attracted by these prizes and goaded on by social pressure, people spend their short lives tiring body and mind to chase after these goals. These include titles, social recognition, status, and political power, all wrapped up in a package called self-fulfillment. Thus, society has set up a system of rewards that go beyond material goods. They realize happiness is not simply having their material needs met. However, when they have all these things, they are not satisfied. “Some people think they can find satisfaction in good food, fine clothes, lively music, and sexual pleasure. You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honour. Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help.Ģ0. Do not seek to possess either goods or fiefs for your old age.ġ9. Do not collect weapons or practice with weapons beyond what is useful.ġ8. Do not act following customary beliefs.ġ6. Do not hold on to possessions you no longer need.ġ5. Do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of lust or love.ġ3. Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself nor others.ġ0. Never let yourself be saddened by a separation.ĩ. Be detached from desire your whole life long.Ĩ. ![]() ![]() ![]() Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.ĥ. ![]() Do not, under any circumstances, depend on a partial feeling.Ĥ.
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