弘明集 4.30

4.30

釋曰。前觀本論。自九穀以下至孔釣不網。始知高議。謂凡有宰作皆出聖人。躬為師匠以率先下民也。孤鄙拙意。自謂每所施為動必有因。聖人從為之節。使不遷越此二。懷之大斷彼我所不同。吾將節其奢流。故有息泰之說。足下方明備設。未知於何去甚而中。答又云。所謂甚者聖人固已去之。不了此意。故近復以所泰為問。答云。未詳誰難或自忘前報。

Explanation: Previously, observing your original treatise from the nine grains down to Confucius angling but not using a net, I first came to know that your lofty opinion holds that all ruling and making stemmed from the sages, who personally acted as master craftsmen to lead the common people below. In my solitary, humble, and clumsy view, I personally consider that whenever something is undertaken, every movement must have a cause, and the sages accordingly set regulations for it so that they would not exceed bounds. The great divergence between these two views is where you and I differ. I wished to regulate their luxurious trends; hence there was the talk of halting excess. You are now explaining comprehensive preparations; I do not know where you remove excess to hit the mark. Your reply also says: 'As for what is called excess, the sages have already removed it.' Not understanding this meaning, I recently questioned you again about what is excessive. The reply said: 'It is not clear who is being challenged,' perhaps forgetting your own previous response.