THE OPERATIONS AND MANIFESTA- 

 TIONS OF THE TAO EXEMPLIFIED 



IN HISTORY 



OR 



THE TAO CONFIRMED BY 

 HISTORY* 



12th Essay in Huai Nan Tzu 



EVAN MORGAN 



Introduction. 



The paper this evening will introduce us to> the twelfth 

 essay of Huai Nan Tzu — this term means The Philosopher 

 South of the Huai — Huai Nan is the name of a small 

 principality. The work was composed by its prince, hence 

 the name. The author's personal name was Liu An, a 

 nephew of the famous Liu Ch'ang, and grandson of the 

 founder of the Han Dynasty. He was born in 162(?) B.C. 

 and died 122 B.C. He was made Prince of Huai Nan, but 

 accused of being involved in political intrigue by Wu Ti, 

 who esteemed him highly, he committed suicide before the 

 arrival of the commissioners sent to examine into the 

 accusation. 



The times were out of joint and cursed and little con- 

 genial to a man of philosophic temperament. Liu An was 

 brought up in a. court full of corruption and intrigue. 

 Empresses and concubines fomented trouble and promoted 

 murder and massacre to attain the fulfilment of selfish 

 schemes. Usurpation of powers however by unscrupulous 

 factions could only last for a time. The usurpers in turn 

 were driven from power by the assassin knife or some such 

 means. The ruthless extermination of rivals to benefit one's 

 own more immediate kin, placed helpless children in jeopardy 

 and made them the playthings of the whims of passing 

 factions. When force and ambition prevail, and wily machin- 

 ations and crafty schemes for power predominate in the 



*Read before. the Society. 

 1 



