Volume 3 — WORDS OF WISDOM. TRANSLATED FROM THE CHINESE BY DR. BOWRING.
Reading edition
To seek relief from doubt in doubt, From woe in woe, from sin in sin-- Is but to drive a tiger out, And let a hungry wolf come in. Who helps a knave in knavery. But aids an ape to climb a tree! On an ape's head a crown you fling; Say--Will that make the ape a king? Know you why the lark's sweet lay Man's divinest nature reaches? He is up at break of day Learning all that nature teaches. The record of past history brings Wisdom of sages, saints, and kings; The more we read those reverend pages The more we honor bygone ages! Whate'er befit--whate'er befal. One general law commandeth all: There's no confusion in the springs That move all sublunary things. All harmony is heaven's vast plan-- All discord is the work of man!
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