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Daoism -> Zhuangzi -> Outer Chapters -> The Way of Heaven -> 3.1

Originating belongs to those in the higher position;
details (of work) to those who are in the lower.
The compendious decision belongs to the lord;
the minutiae of execution, to his ministers.
The direction of the three hosts and their men with the five weapons
is but a trifling quality;
rewards and penalties with their advantages and sufferings,
and the inflictions of the five punishments
are but trivial elements of instruction;
ceremonies, laws, measures, and numbers,
with all the minutiae of jurisprudence,
are small matters in government;
the notes of bells and drums,
and the display of plumes and flags
are the slightest things in music,
and the various grades of the mourning garments
are the most unimportant manifestations of grief.
These five unimportant adjuncts required the operation of the excited spirit and the employment of the arts of the mind, to bring them into use.
The men of old had them indeed, but they did not give them the first place.


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