372
Defense of an Essay, &c.
JULT,
obtain at their generation sang, and these constitute their sing , nature, and this sing is explained to be lí, which is one of the two eternally-existent principles, out of which heaven, earth, men, and all things were made. We have seen from M. Visdelou above, that these five cardinal virtues are derived from the five ele- ments, viz, wood, metal, &c. What a strange mixture have we here! Things (wuk) have by nature, benevolence, rectitude, propriety, wisdom and fidelity, and these moral qualities are derived from wood, metal, &c.
In the Yih King the inatter is thus stated: “One Yin and one Yáng is called táu; the connection of these two constitutes goodness ; the perfection of them constitutes sing, nature.”
Of these terms, the commentators give the following explanation : "The ceaseless revolutions of the Yin and Yáng refer to the k'i,” the primary air of M. Visdelou, and what we have rendered above, primordial substance.
The (i) order in which these revolve, or fate which determines their revolutions—is called Tau, the primitive Reason of M. Visdelou. Another writer says, "Tiu has no voice nor form, and is invisible; that by which men act is Táu, Reason. One Yin and one Yáng are the Tau of heaven and earth; things (wuh) are by this generated, (sang
(and perfected."
"The word "goodness
goodness" in the phrase, "the connection of these constitutes goodness," is explained to be the work of transforming and nourishing things, “which is the business of the Yang, the moving or active primordial substance."
The word sing nature, is thus explained: 性謂物之所 受.言物生則有性,而各具是道也陰之事也
"Nature means that which things (men included) receive. It means that when things are sang, generated, they have sing, nature, and that each thing is so arranged, is owing to Tau, and is the business of the Yin, the non-moving, or passive primordial substance." This sing, nature, is also explained by the character. Put all to- gether, and it amounts to this: men and things obtain ki, and thus they have hing, form; they obtain li, and thus they have sing, nature.
tion?
The great question is, what sets this primary substance, k'i, in mo- Tải kih is If you answer Tái kih, then what is T'ái kih? Li, Tái kih is Tin, Tái kih is. Ki: A most vicious circle, from which there is no escape.