30 DESTINY, FATE 



It is a doctrine accepted by most Chinese philosophers 

 that time and opportunity are essential to the successful 

 -operations of the Tao and the teachings of the Sages. # Never- 

 theless most admit that there is a controlling force beyond 

 and independent of these. Confucius was most conscious of 

 it. He refers to it often. We may take one well-known 

 episode in his life. 



When Confucius visited K'uang, the men of Sung sur- 

 rounded him closely. Yet he went on playing and singing to 

 his guitar without ceasing. 



"How is it, Sir," enquired Tzu Lu, "that you are so 

 cheerful?" 



"Come here," replied Confucius, "and I will tell you. 

 For a long time I have been struggling against failure, but 

 in vain. Fate is against me. For a long time I have been 

 seeking success, but in vain. The hour has not come." 



"To travel by water and not avoid sea-serpents and 

 dragons, — this is the courage of the fisherman. To* travel by 

 land and not avoid the rhinoceros and the tiger, — this is the 

 courage of hunters. W T hen bright blades cross, to look on 

 death as on life, — this is the courage of the hero. To know 

 that failure is fate and that success is opportunity, and to 

 remain fearless in great danger, — this is the courage of the 

 Sage. Yu ! rest in this. My destiny is cut out for me." 

 There are several passages in the Classics showing the con- 

 tempt Confucius had for those who sought his life. This 

 indifference arose from the consciousness that he was under 

 the direction of a power greater than that of any man's. 

 In the Analects, Bk. VII, Chapter 22, we read, "The Master 

 said, Heaven produced the virtue that is in me. Huan T'ui 

 — what can he do> to me. ' ' And again in reference to* a similar 

 attempt on his life we read in Analects, Bk. XIV, Chapter 

 38.2, "The Master said, If my principles are to advance, 

 it is so ordered Hfr iH . If they are to fall to the ground, it is 

 so ordered. What can Kung Pi, Liao, do where such order- 

 ing is concerned." 



In explanation of this confidence in face of these 

 -dangers, Tzu Hsia explains in another place his view of life. 

 "Death and life have their determined appointments" — they 

 depend on Heaven. The destiny is there. And one other 

 saying from Confucius. He went to see Pei Niu who was 

 sick. He took hold of his hand through the window, and 

 said, "It is killing him. It is the appointment of Heaven, 

 alas!" (Analects, Bk. VI, Chapter 8). There are three 

 things of which the superior man stands in awe. He stands 

 in awe of the "Ordinances of Heaven," etc. (Analects, 

 Bk. XVI, Chapter 8). 



