Chapter 8 Dialogue between Lao Tzu and Confucius

One day in 538 BC, Confucius said to his disciple Nangong Jingshu: "Laodan, the history guard of the Zhou Dynasty, knows the past and the present, knows the origin of ritual and music, and understands the essence of morality. I want to go to Zhou to ask for advice. Would you like to go with me? Uncle Nangong Jing readily agreed, and immediately reported it to the king of Lu.Lu Jun approved him to go, and gave him a cart, two horses, a boy and a royal, and Nangong Jingshu accompanied Confucius.Lao Tzu was very happy to see Confucius coming all the way. After teaching, he invited Confucius to visit Dr. Chang Hong.Chang Hong was very good at music theory, and taught Confucius rhythm and music theory; he also led Confucius to observe the ceremony of offering sacrifices to gods, inspected the place of preaching, and observed the etiquette of temple fairs. Confucius was amazed and benefited a lot.Confucius stayed in this place for several days.Confucius bid farewell to Lao Tzu.Lao Dan sent him outside the building and gave him some words, saying: "I heard that the rich give money to others, and the benevolent give words. I am neither rich nor noble, and I have no money to give you; Let me send you a few words. In today's world, those who are smart and insightful, they are in trouble and almost die because they are good at ridiculing others; People are evil. As a son of others, don’t put yourself first; as a minister of others, don’t put yourself first. I hope you remember.” The general idea is, I have nothing to give you, so I will give you a few words, don’t Don't slander others, don't praise others too much, don't be arrogant.Confucius said: "Disciple must keep it in mind."

When Confucius walked to the bank of the Yellow River, he saw the surging water, the turbid waves rolling, the momentum was like ten thousand horses galloping, and the sound was like tigers roaring and thundering.Confucius stood on the bank for a long time, and unconsciously sighed: "The dead are like a man, never giving up day and night! The water of the Yellow River is constantly rushing, and the years of people are passing away. The river does not know where it goes, and the life does not know where it returns." ?” To the effect that a river flows day and night, and so does human life. I don’t know where life will go.Hearing Confucius say these words, Lao Tzu said: "Life between heaven and earth is one with heaven and earth. Heaven and earth are natural things; human life is also natural. People have the changes of young, young, strong and old. Just like heaven and earth have the alternation of spring, summer, autumn and winter, what is the sadness? Born in nature, die in nature, let it be, the nature will not be chaotic; don't let nature, rush between benevolence and righteousness, then the nature will be fettered. Fame Keep it in the heart, and anxiety will arise; keep the desire for profit in the heart, and the worry will increase." Confucius explained: "I am worried that the way will not work, benevolence and righteousness will not be applied, wars will continue, and the country will not be governed, so there are people. It is short-lived, and cannot contribute to the world, nor can it be a sigh of relief to the people."

After a while, Lao Tzu pointed to the vast Yellow River and said to Confucius: "Why don't you learn the virtues of water?" Confucius said: "What virtue does water have?" It is the virtue of humility not to fight, to deal with what people hate To be able to overcome, this is the virtue of softness; therefore, softness overcomes rigidity, and weakness overcomes strongness. Because there is nothing, it can penetrate into the infinite, and from this we can know the teaching of silence and the benefits of doing nothing." Confucius heard this. Afterwards, he suddenly realized, and said: "Mr.'s words made me realize my ignorance: everyone is up, and water is down alone; everyone is easy, but water is dangerous; everyone is clean, and water is filthy. Where people are, they are evil. Husband, who will compete with it? This is why it is the best." Lao Tzu nodded and said: "You can teach! You can always remember: if you don't compete with the world, no one in the world can compete with it. This is to imitate the virtue of water. Water is almost like Tao: Tao is everywhere, water is not harmful, avoiding heights and going down, there is no opposition, and the earth is good; the space is clear and quiet, unfathomable deep, goodness is the abyss; damage is not exhausted, giving does not expect rewards , goodness is benevolence; a circle must be rotated, a square must be broken, a blockage must be stopped, a decision must flow, and it is good at keeping promises; it washes away the filth, equalizes the high and low, and is good at managing things; Then be strong and invincible, make good use of energy; never give up day and night, make progress in the future, and be kind to the time. Therefore, the sage acts at any time, and the sage changes in response to the situation; After leaving, you should stop being arrogant in your words and appearance, and get rid of your ambitions in your appearance. Otherwise, people will be heard before they arrive, and the wind will move before your body arrives. If you are flamboyant, like a tiger walking on the street, who would dare to use you?" Kong Qiu said: "The words of the master come from the heart and enter the heart of the disciple. The disciple has benefited a lot and will never forget it. The disciple will obey it and never neglect it. Thank you for the kindness of the master." , Reluctantly sailed to the state of Lu.

After returning to the State of Lu, Confucius' disciples asked one after another, "Sir, can you see me when you visit me?" Confucius said, "See you!" His disciples asked, "How is Lao Tzu?" I know it can fly; fish, I know it can swim; beasts, I know it can walk. Those who walk can be caught with a net, those who swim can be caught with a hook, and those who fly can be caught with an arrow. As for the dragon, I don’t know why? Riding the wind and clouds to the nine heavens! I have seen Lao Tzu, is he like a dragon? His knowledge is profound and unpredictable, his aspirations are sublime but difficult to know; he bends and stretches at any time like a snake, and changes at any time like a dragon. Lao Dan, I am really my teacher! "