12 THE OPERATIONS AND MANIFESTATIONS 



:about." Hui Meng continued, "But the shaft that will not 

 penetrate it : the attack that will not succeed against it, 

 but this does not seem after all the best. Your servant has 

 still a superior Way; such a way that a man with courage 

 will not dare to use force against it: though possess- 

 ing the power he will not venture to use it against this. 

 This lack of daring to thrust and attack will not be from want 

 •of will. Your servant has a way still higher than this even. 

 This highest form will make men naturally lose the idea and 

 thought of the display of daring and courage. Still simple 

 absence of intention of using force does not produce love 

 and care for it. So I have something still better than even 

 this way, which will give unfailing delight to all. This 

 -best way is of more worth than the valour of force : it is 

 superior to these four other ways. Is the Great King truly 

 desirous of it?" King Sung responded that he desired above 

 all things to get this. Hui Meng replied. "This way is 

 really no other than the doctrines of Confucius and Mei. 

 Kung Ch'iu and Mei Tse were princes though they had no 

 ■territory: they were leaders though without official status. 

 None in the country, be they men or women, but craned 

 their necks and stood on tip -toe that they might find and 

 win the help of their doctrines. You are a great King, ruling 

 a large empire : were you sincerely to have this ambition, 

 •every part of your kingdom would benefit. This would be 

 infinitely superior to Confucius and Mei." 



King Sung having nothing to say in reply, Hui Meng 

 -departed. The King said to those about him, "What a 

 talker! My guest overcame me thoroughly in speaking." 

 This way agrees with what Lao Tzu says : 



COURAGEOUS IN NOT USING FORCE 

 IS THE WAY OF LIFE. 



Whence we may gather that the greatest courage lies 

 in not exercising the might that may be at command. 



(9) The King is the conning man. Wisdom in selecting 

 Assistants. — In ancient times Yao had nine assistants; Shun 

 seven; and Wu Wang five. Yao, Shun, and Wu Wang were 

 not experts in any one thing like their assistants. They sat 

 in their offices receiving the reports of successful operations. 

 They were however masters in their selection of men. Thus 

 men can never beat the great horse Chi in a race : but when 

 this horse is hitched to a carriage it is not able to beat a 

 man. In the north is a beast, which goes by the name of 

 Chueh, with front quarters like a rat, and hind quarters like 

 a hare. When it runs it stumbles (as it has short fore legs 

 •and long hind legs) it falls when it walks. This animal 



