But for language that constantly flows over, as from a full goblet, and is in accord with God, how should the permanent be attained? All things spring from germs. Under many diverse forms these things are ever being reproduced. Round and round, like a wheel, no part of which is more the starting-point than any other. This is called the equilibrium of God. And he who holds the scales is God. Alluding to the Identity-philosophy, which means, in the words of Emerson, "that nature iterates her means perpetually on successive planes.... The whole art of the plant is still to repeat leaf on leaf without end." * * * * * Chuang Tzŭ said to Hui Tzŭ, "When Confucius reached his sixtieth year he changed his opinions. What he had previously regarded as right, he ultimately came to regard as wrong. But who shall say whether the right of to-day may not be as wrong as the wrong of the previous fifty-nine years?" See p. 345. "He was a persevering worker," replied Hui Tzŭ, "and his wisdom increased day by day." His conversion was no spasmodic act. "Confucius," replied Chuang Tzŭ, "discarded both perseverance and wisdom, but did not attempt to formulate the doctrine in words. He said, 'Man has received his talents from God, together with a soul to give them life. He should speak in accordance with established laws. His words should be in harmony with fixed order. Personal advantage and duty to one's neighbour lie open before us. Likes and dislikes, rights and wrongs, are but as men choose to call them. But to bring submission into men's hearts, so that they shall not be stiff-necked, and thus fix firmly the foundations of the empire,--to that, alas! I have not attained.'" "From the above," says Lin Hsi Chung, "we may see that Hui Tzŭ, though skilled in winning debates was unskilled in winning hearts." * * * * * Tsêng Tzŭ held office twice. His emotions varied in each case. See pp. 100, 352. "As long as my parents were alive," said he, "I was happy on a small salary. When I had a large salary, but my parents were no more, I was sad." A disciple said to Confucius, "Can we call Tsêng Tzŭ a man without cares to trouble him?" Money being no object to him. "He had cares to trouble him," replied Confucius. "Can a man who has no cares to trouble him feel grief? His small salary and his large salary were to him like a heron or a mosquito flying past." * * * * * Yen Ch'êng Tzŭ Yu said to Tung Kuo Tzŭ Chi, See p. 324. "One year after receiving your instructions I became naturally simple. After two years, I could adapt myself as required. After three years, I understood. After four years, my intelligence developed. After five years, it was complete. After six years, the spirit entered into me. After seven, I knew God. After eight, life and death existed for me no more. After nine, perfection.