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Daoism -> Zhuangzi -> Outer Chapters -> Correcting the Nature -> 1.2

The ancients who regulated the Dao
nourished their faculty of knowledge by their placidity,
and all through life abstained from employing that faculty in action
- they must be pronounced to have (thus also) nourished their placidity by their knowledge.
When the faculty of knowledge and the placidity (thus) blend together, and they nourish each other,
then from the nature there come forth harmony and orderly method.
The attributes (of the Dao) constitute the harmony;
the Dao (itself) secures the orderly method.
When the attributes appear in a universal practice of forbearance, we have Benevolence;
when the path is all marked by orderly method, we have Righteousness;
when the righteousness is clearly manifested, and (all) things are regarded with affection, we have Leal-heartedness;
when the (heart's) core is thus (pure) and real, and carried back to its (proper) qualities, we have Music;
when this sincerity appears in all the range of the capacity, and its demonstrations are in accordance with what is elegant, we have Ceremony.
天下If ceremonies and Music are carried out in an imperfect and one-sided manner, the world is thrown into confusion.
When men would rectify others, and their own virtue is beclouded,
it is not sufficient to extend itself to them.
If an attempt be made so to extend it, they also will lose their (proper) nature.


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