Book XVIII.
*54. Chap. I. Tse-jan [OMITTED] (Spontaneity).
Heaven emits its generating fluid spontaneously, not on purpose.
It has no desires, no knowledge, and does not act. These
qualities require organs:—a mouth, eyes, hands, etc., which it
does not possess. Its body must be either like that of Earth, or
air. Heaven's fluid is placid, desireless, and unbusied. This spontaneity
is a Taoist theory, but they did not sufficiently substantiate
it. Only Sages resembling Heaven can be quite spontaneous and
inactive, others must act, and can be instructed. Originally men
lived in a happy state of ignorance. Customs, laws, in short
culture is already a decline of virtue.
55. Chap. II. Kan-lei [OMITTED].
Natural calamities and unlucky events are not the upshot of
human guilt, as a thunderstorm is not a manifestation of Heaven's
anger.
*56. Chap. III. Ch`i-shih [OMITTED] (The Equality of the Ages).
People of old were not better, nor stronger, taller or longer
lived than at present. Heaven and Earth have remained the same,
and their creatures likewise. There is a periodical alternation of
prosperity and decline in all the ages. The present time is not
inferior to antiquity, but the literati extol the past and disparage
the present. Even sages like Confucius would not find favour with
them, if they happened to live now. And yet the Han dynasty is
quite equal to the famous old dynasties.
