OVERCOMING RETHUGLICANISM:
THE WAY AND ITS MEANS,
A PRIMER FOR FUTURE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS
BY TSZE SZE
ANNOTATED BY AXLE W. RYN
My favorite? Part 7
'The Master said, "RETHUGLICAN(S) are all of the opinion, `we give sage advice.' But, as (they) are pressed for answers (they) are driven into traps, nets, and pitfalls. (They) will be unable to extricate themselves. Yet, (they) squeal, `we give sage advice.' But, let (them) try. A RETHUGLICAN could not keep to the "WAY" for an easy month.'
BOOK ONE
PART 1.
1. The "Way" of nature is "actualized", hence, embodied. Heaven, in accordance with the "Way", is given as a sacred duty. The passing forward of this duty is called education.
2. Learning, of the "Way", can not be abandoned, not ever. If it could be abandoned, [it] wouldn't be the "Way". On this account the superior person would need not see, nor hear "everything" before they apprehend. This is called prudence.
3. What is more visible than the secrets of the heart? For sure, the minutest of clues reveal the manifest core. Be watchful over your heart, especially when alone.
4. Without the stirrings of pleasure, anger, sorrow or joy the human heart is said to be in Equilibrium. With said stirrings of pleasure, anger, sorrow or joy, and, their comportment in action, like a debt paid, ensures the denomination called Harmony. This Equilibrium is the "Great Root" which develops all human action in the world. This Harmony is the Universal "Way" and all "RETHUGLICANS" could pursue (it).
5. Let Equilibrium and Harmony reign and a happy perfection and true order will ensue. All things will be nourished and flower.
PART 2.
Only the superior person can ascertain the true "Way" The inferior RETHUGLICAN(S) are always violating the principle.
1. Chung Ni said, "The superior person understands the "Way" and the means. The RETHUGLICAN(S) act contrary to the course, or the "Way"
2. The superior person who understands the "Way" and its means, because they are superior and always maintain the "Way". The mediocre RETHUGLICAN(S), who comport themselves contrary to the "Way", because they are mediocre and lack attention.
PART 3.
(This) rarity existed in Confucius' time. The practice of the "WAY"
1. Perfect practice of the "WAY" is called Virtue. Rare has (this) been among the people, rare the person who could practice (it)
PART 4.
How is it that so few could practice the "WAY?"
1. The Master explained why so few walk the path of the "WAY" Those who know shoot-passed (it), the RETHUGLICAN(S) don't ever reach (it). The Master explained why the "WAY" is not understood. The person of talent and virtue looks beyond (it), the RETHUGLICAN(S), without-valor, never reach (it)
2. People eat and drink. RETHUGLICAN(S) can-not distinguish the flavors.
PART 5.
The Master said, see how the RETHUGLICAN(S) have avoided the path? Hence, the "WAY" remains unused.
PART 6.
How would a PATRIOT pursue the course of the "WAY"
The Master said, "A PATRIOT, without a doubt, would give sage advice. He would love to talk and ask questions, so, better to distinguish between the deep and the less profound. He would omit what was bad in (their) thinking, and would augment, visibly, what was good. He would take hold of the good and the bad argument and thus, determine the "WAY". By these means, were employed the people in the government of the people. A PATRIOT would distinguish himself by this.
PART 7.
How the RETHUGLICAN(S) comport themselves is contrary to the knowledge of the "WAY" and shows an ignorance of (its) course.
The Master said, "RETHUGLICAN(S) are all of the opinion, `we give sage advice.' But, as (they) are pressed for answers (they) are driven into traps, nets, and pitfalls. (They) will be unable to extricate themselves. Yet, (they) squeal, `we give sage advice.' But, let (them) try. A RETHUGLICAN could not keep to the "WAY" for an easy month.
PART 8.
How a PATRIOT keeps close to the course of the "WAY"
The Master said, "This was a PATRIOT'S modus-operandi, (they) would make a choice between extremes. Whenever they found the "WAY" between extremes, they would hold (it) close to their heart, keeping a keen eye upon (it).
PART 9.
How difficult to keep to the course and the "WAY"
The Master said, "The Country, The States, and families may be regulated with perfection; honors and awards may be bypassed, armaments may be trodden under foot, but the course of the "WAY" is not understood.
PART 10.
How energy relates to the "WAY"
1. Student Lu asked about energy.
2. The Master asked do you mean Northern energy, Southern energy, or, the internal energy used to cultivate one's self?
3. When instructing others show gentleness and patience, do not show a RETHUGLICAN, vengeful comportment. This is called Southern energy and a PATRIOT would make good use of (it).
4. If you find yourself under arms, and without regret meeting death, this is called Northern energy and a valid leader would make effective study of (it).
5. The consequence of this is superior people cultivate harmony without signaling weakness. Straight and energetic. (They) stand grounded, erect, without wobbling from side to side.
Standing without atrophy of energy. When the best of ideas prevail in the country the superior person goes along the same "WAY" unrelenting. When bad ideas prevail in the country the superior person, unrelenting, goes along the path of the "WAY" This is called cultivating the self, or, having a straight heart.
PART 11.
Only the prudent person can respond to the requirements of the "WAY"
1. The Master said, "to live in a bubble, like BUSH, and practice strange ablutions so as to be remembered in future times, this is not to be done.
2. The good person goes along the "WAY" But, when (they) have made it half the way, (they) abandon it. Don't stop short like the RETHUGLICANS do.
3. The superior person reconciles themselves with the "WAY" even if (they) are isolated, alone and unregarded by the whole world. Without regrets; only the wisest sage is capable of this.
PART 12.
The path and the "WAY" is known far and wide. Yet, everywhere the secret still prevails.
1. The way of the superior person encompasses the near and the far, and yet, remains secret.
2. Even the most ignorant of RETHUGLICAN men and women may partake of the knowledge of the "WAY". Yet, even the wisest sage may not have knowledge of the furthest reaches of the "WAY". Common RETHUGLICAN men and women, no matter how far below average their levels of character, may apply and practice the "WAY". Yet, even the wisest sage may not be able to apply and practice the furthest reaches of the "WAY". As great as Heaven and Earth are, the RETHUGLICANS still can find things to distract by insinuation. Thus, if a PATRIOT could explain the "WAY" in all its greatness, not one RETHUGLICAN would be found to embrace it. And, if a PATRIOT could explain the "WAY" with the most precise analysis, not one RETHUGLICAN would be found to confirm it.
3. It is said in the Book Of Poetry, `The hawk flies high, The fish leaps deep.' This is to confirm a way of seeing both part and whole.
4. The sense of the superior person may be found in rather simple elements. The easy discourse among the common folk. But, in its utmost expanse (it) shines like a bright light around the globe.
PART 13.
No need to look far for the path to the "WAY". Every person has the law of the "WAY" within themselves. Just pursue it with the utmost sincerity.
1. The Master said, the "WAY" is not far from the people. When RETHUGLICANS try to pursue a course that is far and wide from the decency of common conscience, this can not be called the "WAY".
2. It is said in the Book Of Poetry, `In hewing an axe-handle, in hewing an axe-handle, keep close to the pattern.'
We lay hold of one axe-handle to fashion another. Yet, if we look carefully, we may consider one from the other. Consequently, the superior person uses people to govern the people, accordingly to each nature, and when what is wrong is corrected, stop.
3. When a person cultivates to the maximum these principles of nature and practices with reciprocity the self-same methods, one is not far from the "WAY". If you don't like something done to you, don't do it to others.
4. There are four things comprising the demeanor of the superior person and not a one have I attained. To help my father the way I would want my son to help me. I have not attained it. To help my older brother the way I would want my younger brother to help me. I have not attained this. To behave toward my friend as I would want my friend to behave toward me. This I have yet to attain. Sincere practice of everyday virtue and a careful choice of words spoken. If there are any RETHUGLICAN tendencies, errors, or misconceptions uncovered, the wise person never stops working to root-out said mistakes. And if the superior person detects any excessive, regressive RETHUGLICANISM, (they) do not concede authority to these self-same regressive tendencies. The superior person's words comport with their actions, and their actions comport with their words. Is it not this full sincerity that distinguishes the superior person from the RETHUGLICAN(S).
PART 14.
How the superior person, in every changing situation, pursues the "WAY", finding what is good and right by steering from within.
1. The superior person does what is adequate for the situation at hand, without any desire to go beyond the facts.
2.In a situation filled with riches and honors the superior person acts adequately to the situation at hand. In a poor and lowly position the superior person acts in accordance with the situation at hand. Amongst the RETHUGLICANS, the superior person does what is adequate to a situation amongst RETHUGLICANS. In a position of sorrow and difficulty a superior person does what is adequate to a position of sorrow and difficulty. The superior person can never find a situation in which (they) are not able to be one's self.
3. In a high position, not looking down with contempt at inferiors. In a low position not currying favor with superiors. This is called self-rectification. Seeking nothing from others, avoiding disappointments. Without cursing heaven, nor grumbling against one's contemporaries.
4. This is how the superior person remains calm, and with calmness awaits the proper dispensations, while the RETHUGLICAN(S) walk in dangerous circles, looking for lucky breaks.
5. The master said, `In archery we get a sense of how the superior person acts. When the archer misses the bulls-eye, turning, seeking the cause of the error within. Whereas, the RETHUGLICAN(s) go about blaming others.
PART 15.
In the practice of the "WAY" an integral progress is made step by step.
1. The way of the superior person may be compared to what happens when traveling. When crossing a certain distance we must first traverse the near, or, when climbing a height we start from lower-land.
2. It is said in the Book Of Poetry, `The happy concord of wife and children is like the music of lutes and harps.' When there is accord between countrymen the harmony is deliciously abiding. This is how to regulate a family and enjoy the pleasures of children and wife.
3. The master said, `In such a situation, parents, and citizens may be said to be truly satisfied.'
PART 16.
On illustrating the workings and influence of spiritual things upon knowledge of the "WAY"
1. The Master has said, "Abundant spiritual visualisation. An internal alimentary influence.
2. We search without finding, we listen without hearing, but everywhere partaking in a spiritual fullness.
3. Inducements to fasting and purification, and a change into new rich, clothing, better to assist in the rites, like water falling overhead, and to the right and left of the worshippers.
4. In the Book Of Poetry it is said, 'the method of spiritual beings can not be guessed, thus, can one approach them with RETHUGLICAN indifference?
5. This is the form of the power of the less-than-significant, and likewise, showing the impossibility of repressing sincerity.
PART 17.
The virtue of piety, and love of one's brethren, is exemplified.
1. The Master said, 'how filial he was, a saint of virtue, his dignity was in governing, his riches all internal, he offered sacrifices at the ancestral temple, and these he passed on to his descendents.
2. Consequently, having these great virtues, as a matter of course, he governed the people, gathering riches and fame and long life.
3. This is the law of heaven, in the creation of things, bounty to all things in their due qualities. A flowering tree will receive nourishment, and the RETHUGLICAN tree will fall.
4. In the Book Of Poetry it is said, 'the greatest of leaders is amiable and admirable, their greatest virtue is leading the people and leading the governing officials. Hence, their dignity.
5. Therefore, who is truly virtuous will receive their appointment in due course.
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