弘明集 1.32

1.32

Mouzi said: "If one were not to eat this autumn because there will be a great famine next spring, or if one were to don heavy furs in the heat of summer because the winter month will be cold—such precautions, though taken early, could not avoid being foolish. What Laozi spoke of refers to those who have already attained the Dao; what knowledge could those have who have not yet attained the Dao? The Great Dao delights the world with a single word; is that not great eloquence? Did Laozi not say: 'When the work is accomplished, the person withdraws: this is the Dao of Heaven'? Once the person has withdrawn, what more would he say? Today's śramaṇas have not yet attained the Dao, so how could they not speak? Laozi also spoke: if he had not spoken, how could the Five Thousand Words have been expounded? If one knows yet does not speak, that is permissible; but one who can neither know nor speak is a fool. Therefore, one who can speak but cannot practice is a teacher of the state; one who can practice but cannot speak is a functionary of the state; one who can both practice and speak is a treasure of the state. The three classes each have their use; how can this be a thief of virtue? Only one who can neither speak nor practice is called a thief."