Questions of King Milinda Part 02

SR No.: 007682
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: T W Rhys Davids
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1894
Total Pages: 2240
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 38 MB

Page 1866

386
THE TEXTS OF TÂOISM.
BK. XVII.
some people of Sung (once) surrounded him (with a hostile intention) several ranks deep; but he kept singing to his lute without stopping. Zze-lû came in, and saw him, and said, 'How is it, Master, that you are so pleased ?' Confucius said, 'Come here, and I will tell you. I have tried to avoid being reduced to such a strait for a long time; and that I have not escaped shows that it was so appointed for me. I have sought to find a ruler that would employ me for a long time, and that I have not found one, shows the character of the time. Under Yâo and Shun there was no one in the kingdom reduced to straits like mine; and it was not by their sagacity that men succeeded as they did. Under Kieh and Kâu no (good and able man) in the kingdom found his way to employment; and it was not for (want of) sagacity that they failed to do so. It was simply owing to the times and their character.
People that do business on the water do not shrink from meeting iguanodons and dragons ;-that is the courage of fishermen. Those who do business on land do not shrink from meeting rhinoceroses and tigers ;—that is the courage of hunters. When men see the sharp weapons crossed before them, and look on death as going home;—that is the courage of the determined soldier. When he knows that his strait is determined for him, and that the employment of him by a ruler depends on the character of the time, and then meeting with great distress is yet not afraid ;—that is the courage of the sagely man. Wait, my good Ya, and you will see what there is determined for me in my lot.' A little afterwards, the leader of the armed men approached and took his leave, saying, "We thought you were
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