OF THE TAO EXEMPLIFIED IN HISTORY 37 



the brim, the centre of gravity was lost and the vessel over- 

 turned. Suddenly Confucius changed countenance saying, 

 "Perfect is the lesson of him holding a full vessel ! Tzu 

 Kung standing at his side said, "Please tell us more of this 

 " grasping a full vessel.' "Superfluity brings its penalty," 

 said Confucius. What do you mean by this? Anything too 

 overflowing may be easily spoilt; a wild joy is followed by a 

 melancholiness : the sun goes down after its zenith; a full 

 moon wanes. 



Hence cleverness and a boundless knowledge should be 

 preserved by simplicity : encyclopaedic information and wide 

 •attainments by lowliness : martial strength and bold courage 

 by awe : great wealth and position by economy : universal 

 power by reserve and modesty. It was by observing these 

 five qualities that the empire was not lost. History affirms 

 that the spirit of these five principles could not be con- 

 travened with impunity. As Lao Tzu says : 



THEY WHO ADHERE TO THIS DOCTRINE HAVE 

 NO DESIRE FOR EXUBERANCE. BUT RATHER 

 THAT THEY BE WITHOUT EXCESSES AND THUS 

 BE ABLE TO KEEP A STATE OF MODESTY WITH- 

 OUT OUTWARD OSTENTATION. 



(56) A criticism of current methods of government which 

 were based on opportunism and therefore a great contrast to 

 true government based on the Tao. — Wu Wang enquired of 

 T'ai Kung an opinion as to his action in punishing Chou 

 whether the world would not look on it as the murder of 

 a master by his servant, and whether his fears were not 

 groundless that the example might be followed by later ages 

 giving rise to constant employment of troops and the perpe- 

 tuation of strifes. T'ai Kung replied that the king's question 

 was most opportune, saying in illustration that sportsmen 

 were anxious lest the hit was too little before they had the 

 prey : but once they had the bag the fear was lest the flesh 

 had been torn too much. Did the king therefore desire to 

 hold the nation securely for long he should satisfy the 

 appetites of the people in every way. 



Occupy the attention of eye, ear, nose, mouth. 



The Tao' was useless for the people and education but a 

 bother. 1 When the people are all pleased with their 

 occupations and their desires all gratified, such is the plau- 

 sible way of carrying on government. It makes a good show. 

 The Tao< is too profound for popular use. Give the people 



*Cp. Confucius Analect 8 Chap. 9. The people should follow a 

 path, without understanding it. 



