*3. Chap. III. Ming-lu [OMITTED] (On Destiny and Fortune).
Destiny predetermines the length of man's life, and whether
he shall be rich and honourable, or poor and mean. There is no
correspondence between human virtue and fate. The wicked and
the unintelligent are very often happy, whereas men endowed with
the highest faculties and the noblest character perish in misery,
as is shown by various examples from history. The knowing,
therefore, do not hunt after happiness, but leave everything to
Heaven, suffering with equanimity what cannot be avoided, and
placidly awaiting their turn. The opinions of several philosophers
holding similar views are given.
