(The master of it) anticipates things that are difficult while
Categories: PART II.Books: THE TAO AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS
(The master of it) anticipates things that are difficult while they
are easy, and does things that would become great while they are
small All difficult things in the world are sure to arise from a
previous state in which they were easy, and all great things from one
in which they were small Therefore the sage, while he never does
what is great, is able on that account to accomplish the greatest
things
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VII. ALCHEMYPART I
What a weird yet strangely pleasing name the term Alchemy is. It is simple, yet so infilled and intermixed with the possible verities of exact science and the philosophical speculations on the infinite and the unknown, as to elude our mental grasp, ... VIII. ALCHEMYPART II
Paracelsus, the most celebrated of the alchemists of the Middle Ages, thus mystically speaks of his art: "If I have manna in my constitution, I can attract manna from heaven. Melissa is not only in the garden, but also in the air and in heaven. S... X. CEREMONIAL MAGIC
The above title has been selected, chiefly, because, in most works treating upon magic we find it wrongly used, and therefore, take the opportunity of explaining the matter, for, there were no such terms in the vocabulary of the ancient Magi. It ... XI. THE MAGIC WAND
This is the last lesson of our present course that requires a clear definition of the terms employed in the title thereof, for the twelfth, and final study is, perhaps, fortunate in having for its title a word that has not, so far, been misused and ... XIII
... "He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he
"He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me,"--in those who harbour such thoughts hatred will never cease ... "He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he
"He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me,"--in those who do not harbour such thoughts hatred will cease ... "May both the layman and he who has left the
"May both the layman and he who has left the world think that this is done by me; may they be subject to me in everything which is to be done or is not to be done," thus is the mind of the fool, and his desire and pride increase ... "One is the road that leads to wealth, another the
"One is the road that leads to wealth, another the road that leads to Nirvana;" if the Bhikshu, the disciple of Buddha, has learnt this, he will not yearn for honour, he will strive after separation from the world The Wise Man (Pandita) ... "These sons belong to me, and this wealth belongs to
"These sons belong to me, and this wealth belongs to me," with such thoughts a fool is tormented He himself does not belong to himself; how much less sons and wealth? ... (Conceived of as) having no name, it is the Originator
(Conceived of as) having no name, it is the Originator of heaven and earth; (conceived of as) having a name, it is the Mother of all things ... (It is the way of the Tao) to act without
(It is the way of the Tao) to act without (thinking of) acting; to conduct affairs without (feeling the) trouble of them; to taste without discerning any flavour; to consider what is small as great, and a few as many; and to recompense injury with kin... (Its) admirable words can purchase honour; (its) admirable deeds can raise
(Its) admirable words can purchase honour; (its) admirable deeds can raise their performer above others Even men who are not good are not abandoned by it ... (Such an one) cannot be treated familiarly or distantly; he
(Such an one) cannot be treated familiarly or distantly; he is beyond all consideration of profit or injury; of nobility or meanness:--he is the noblest man under heaven ... (The infant's) bones are weak and its sinews soft, but
(The infant's) bones are weak and its sinews soft, but yet its grasp is firm It knows not yet the union of male and female, and yet its virile member may be excited;--showing the perfection of its physical essence All day long it will cry without its... (The master of it) anticipates things that are difficult while
(The master of it) anticipates things that are difficult while they are easy, and does things that would become great while they are small All difficult things in the world are sure to arise from a previous state in which they were easy, and all great... (The Tao) produces (all things) and nourishes them; it produces them
(The Tao) produces (all things) and nourishes them; it produces them and does not claim them as its own; it does all, and yet does not boast of it; it presides over all, and yet does not control them This is what is called 'The mysterious Quality' (of ... (The Tao) which originated all under the sky is to
(The Tao) which originated all under the sky is to be considered as the mother of them all ... (Those who) possessed in highest degree the attributes (of the Tao)
(Those who) possessed in highest degree the attributes (of the Tao) did not (seek) to show them, and therefore they possessed them (in fullest measure) (Those who) possessed in a lower degree those attributes (sought how) not to lose them, and theref... (Those who) possessed in the highest degree those attributes did nothing
(Those who) possessed in the highest degree those attributes did nothing (with a purpose), and had no need to do anything (Those who) possessed them in a lower degree were (always) doing, and had need to be so doing ... (Those who) possessed the highest (sense of) propriety were (always seeking)
(Those who) possessed the highest (sense of) propriety were (always seeking) to show it, and when men did not respond to it, they bared the arm and marched up to them ... (Those who) possessed the highest benevolence were (always seeking) to carry
(Those who) possessed the highest benevolence were (always seeking) to carry it out, and had no need to be doing so (Those who) possessed the highest righteousness were (always seeking) to carry it out, and had need to be so doing ... (To illustrate from) the case of all females:--the female always overcomes
(To illustrate from) the case of all females:--the female always overcomes the male by her stillness Stillness may be considered (a sort of) abasement ... , A man is not a Muni because he
, A man is not a Muni because he observes silence (mona, ie mauna), if he is foolish and ignorant; but the wise who, taking the balance, chooses the good and avoids evil, he is a Muni, and is a Muni thereby; he who in this world weighs both sides is ca... , A man is not just if he carries
, A man is not just if he carries a matter by violence; no, he who distinguishes both right and wrong, who is learned and leads others, not by violence, but by law and equity, and who is guarded by the law and intelligent, he is called just ... , A wise man should leave the dark state
, A wise man should leave the dark state (of ordinary life), and follow the bright state (of the Bhikshu) After going from his home to a homeless state, he should in his retirement look for enjoyment where there seemed to be no enjoyment Leaving all ... , As on a heap of rubbish cast upon
, As on a heap of rubbish cast upon the highway the lily will grow full of sweet perfume and delight, thus the disciple of the truly enlightened Buddha shines forth by his knowledge among those who are like rubbish, among the people that walk in darkne... , But he whom those who discriminate praise continually
, But he whom those who discriminate praise continually day after day, as without blemish, wise, rich in knowledge and virtue, who would dare to blame him, like a coin made of gold from the Gambu river? Even the gods praise him, he is praised even by ... , He who pays homage to those who deserve
, He who pays homage to those who deserve homage, whether the awakened (Buddha) or their disciples, those who have overcome the host (of evils), and crossed the flood of sorrow, he who pays homage to such as have found deliverance and know no fear, his... , Looking for the maker of this tabernacle, I
, Looking for the maker of this tabernacle, I shall have to run through a course of many births, so long as I do not find (him); and painful is birth again and again But now, maker of the tabernacle, thou hast been seen; thou shalt not make up this t...