廣弘明集 10.29

10.29

奏曰。龍虎以鱗牙為能。猨鳥以超翔為才。君子以解行為道。賢哲以真實成德。故使內外稱奇緇素高尚。若惟解而無行。同沙井之非閏。專虛而不實。似空雲而無雨。是以匠萬物者以繩墨為正。御天下者以法理為本。故能善防邪萌防察姦宄。故使一行之失痛於割肌。一言之善重於千金。若使心根妙解。則居惡為善。神智虛明則處罪成福。亦可移臣賤質居天重任。迴聖極尊處臣卑下。是則君臣雜亂上下倒錯。即事不可。古今未有。何異詞談忠孝身恒叛逆。語論慈捨形常殺盜。口閑百技觸事無能。言通萬里足不出戶。斯皆情切事奢。虛高無用。是以才有大而無用。理有小而必通。執此為道。誠難取信。

[Dao]lin presented a memorial, saying: "Dragons and tigers take scales and fangs as their capabilities; monkeys and birds take jumping and soaring as their talents. The gentleman takes understanding and practice as the Way; the worthy and wise take truth and reality to complete virtue. Hence internal and external praise the extraordinary, and the black-robed and white-robed value the lofty. If there is only understanding without practice, it is like a sandy well lacking moisture; if one is solely empty without substance, it is like empty clouds without rain. Therefore, craftsmen of the myriad things take the plumb line and marking cord as correct; those who govern all under Heaven take laws and principles as fundamental. Thus they can properly prevent the sprouting of evil and guard against sedition and treachery. Hence the fault of a single act hurts worse than cutting the flesh, and the goodness of a single word weighs heavier than a thousand pieces of gold. If a subtle understanding in the root of the mind could turn dwelling in evil into good, and an empty and clear spiritual wisdom could turn abiding in guilt into blessing, then my humble substance could be transferred to occupy the heavy responsibility of Heaven, and your sacred, supreme reverence could be shifted to occupy my lowly position. This would throw ruler and ministers into confusion and overturn high and low. In practical terms this is impossible; it has never existed from antiquity to the present. How is this different from speaking words of loyalty and filial piety while one's person is perpetually in rebellion, or discoursing on compassion and renunciation while physically always killing and stealing, or being verbally adept in a hundred skills yet incapable in any affair, or speaking of knowing ten thousand miles without setting foot outside the gate? These are all feelings running ahead while reality falls short, empty elevation without practical use. Therefore, talent may be great yet useless, while a principle may be minor yet bound to be effective. To cling to this as the Way is truly difficult to place faith in."