Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Mencius - Book 4, Part 1, Chapter 19B

'The philosopher Tsang, in nourishing Tsang Hsî, was always sure to have wine and flesh provided. And when they were being removed, he would ask respectfully to whom he should give what was left. If his father asked whether there was anything left, he was sure to say, "There is." After the death of Tsing Hsî, when Tsang Yüan came to nourish Tsing-tsze, he was always sure to have wine and flesh provided. But when the things were being removed, he did not ask to whom he should give what was left, and if his father asked whether there was anything left, he would answer "No;" intending to bring them in again. This was what is called "nourishing the mouth and body." We may call Tsang-tsze's practice "nourishing the will."

'To serve one's parents as Tsang-tsze served his, may be accepted as filial piety.'

~ James Legge translation via nothingistic.org ~
Go here to read the introductory post to this serialized version of the Works of Mencius.

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