弘明集 1.27

1.27

The questioner said: "Among people living in the world, none do not like wealth and honour and hate poverty and lowliness; none do not take pleasure in joy and ease and fear toil and fatigue. The Yellow Emperor cultivated his nature, taking the five delicacies as paramount. Confucius said: 'He did not dislike to have his rice finely cleaned, nor his minced meat finely cut.' Now the śramaṇas wear red cloth, eat one meal a day, shut off the six emotions, and isolate themselves from the world. Living like this, what joy can there be?" Mouzi said: "'Riches and honours are what men desire; if they cannot be obtained in the proper way, they should not be held. Poverty and lowliness are what men hate; if they cannot be avoided in the proper way, they should not be avoided.' Laozi said: 'The five colours make human eyes blind; the five tones make human ears deaf; the five flavours ruin the palate; racing and hunting drive human minds mad; rare goods hinder human conduct. The Sage acts for the belly and not for the eyes.' Could these words be false? Liuxia Hui did not trade his conduct for the position of the Three Excellencies; Duan Ganmu did not trade his person for the wealth of Marquis Wen of Wei. Xu You and Chao Fu lodged in trees and dwelt there, considering themselves more secure than in imperial palaces; Boyi and Shuqi starved on Mount Shouyang, considering themselves more satiated than under King Wen and King Wu. Each simply attained his own intent; what lack of joy could there be?"