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Confucianism -> Lunheng -> Ziran -> 3

:「Some one might argue that every movement is originally inaction.
There is desire provoking the movement, and, as soon as there is motion, there is action.
The movements of Heaven are similar to those of man, how could they be inactive?
I reply that,
when Heaven moves,
it emits its fluid.
Its body moves, the fluid comes forth,
and things are produced.
When man moves his fluid, his body moves, his fluid then comes forth, and a child is produced.
Man emitting his fluid does not intend to beget a child, yet the fluid being emitted, the child is born of itself.
When Heaven is moving, it does not desire to produce things thereby,
but things are produced of their own accord.
That is spontaneity.
Letting out its fluid it does not desire to create things,
but things are created of themselves.
That is inaction.
But how is the fluid of Heaven, which we credit with spontaneity and inaction?
It is placid, tranquil, desireless,
inactive, and unbusied.
Laozi acquired long life by it.
He obtained it from Heaven.
使 If Heaven did not possess this fluid,
how could Laozi have obtained this nature?
For it does not happen that the disciples alone speak of something, which their master never mentioned.
:「。」Perhaps this nature appeared again in Duke Huan, who was wont to say, "Let Guan Zhong know."
:「!」His attendants replied, "is it so easy to rule, if Guan Zhong is always the first and second word?"
The duke rejoined,
"Before I had secured the services of Guan Zhong,
I was in the greatest difficulties,
now, after I have got him,
?」 I find everything easy."
When Duke Huan had taken Guan Zhong into his service, he left the affairs to him, entrusted him with the administration, and did not trouble any more about it.
Should high Heaven, which in its exalted virtue confers the government upon an emperor, reprove man, its virtue would be inferior to that of Duke Huan, and the conduct of a feudatory prince surpass that of great Heaven.


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