lines 25 – 32
Consider: It is not by chance that when we consider the world we see
similarities and differences in the abundance of things. Many of these
similarities come in terms of numbers; when things are numbered alike,
many times the similarity in number stems from more fundamental
sources; the similar numbers are not accidental.
Everything started from one, the unity that was all that was.
All things that are, are here by the result of fundamental powers or
forces. To be educated you must understand this. The one
became two, as distinction was made between opposing forces, between
light and dark, between positive and negative, between the male and
female. Initially there was a separation of what was, the lighter rose
and became the sky, while the heavier sank and became the earth.
Between the two we find what we call life, and of all life, humanity is
the highest form and the most important, because of all life, only
humans can reason.
Indeed:
25 The Three Fundamental
Forces are
Heaven, Earth, and Man.
Consider: In the sky the principle objects we notice are the glowing
ones. The Sun shines during the day, we call this positive; the moon
governs the night; we call this negative. The Stars form the background
for the actions of the Sun and the Moon. The positive we call yang and
the negative we call yin. As the stars are to the Sun and Moon, so is
man to heaven and earth. Humans possesses both yang and yin and from
this proceeds his eminence in nature.
Indeed:
26. The Three Bright
Things are the
sun, the moon, and the stars.
Consider: Humans, being capable of reason, are able to regulate the
relationships that exist between them. If these relationships are
harmonious and proper then peace and prosperity ensue. The third triad
that we study is that which describes the proper way for people to
interact; these are called the Three basic Principles.
The first describes the interaction of the ruler and the ruled; each
has a duty to act properly, the king leading the way by providing a
sterling example by wise and thoughtful and meticulous in the execution
of his duties. If the king acts so, then his ministers and subjects
will do well in the execution of their own duties.
Indeed:
27. The Three Basic
Principles are:
the duty between sovereign and subject, . . .
Consider: In terms of the king and his subjects, we
speak of duty; within the family we speak of the love between parents
and children and the harmony between husband and wife. The husband
acting correctly towards his children and towards his wife, love and
harmony. The husband by his actions makes his children filial and his
wife comfortable, and they behave properly towards him in return. As
the actions of the king determine the well-being of the country, so do
the action of the parents determine the well-being of their families
and thus, if the three relations are observed, all will be well,
prosperous and peaceful in the country.
Indeed:
28. .
. . the
love between father and son, and the harmony between husband and wife.
Consider: After three comes four, and indeed, there are important
quadruples to be considered. The first is the fundamental division of
the year into four seasons. Conveniently, the stars, in their role as
background for the actions of sun and moon, dictate the sequence of the
seasons, and we can tell at a glance the time of the year by looking at
the stars. When the handle of the of dipper points east, we in the
spring of the year, the time when life burgeons, plants bloom and
animals give birth. When the handle points south, we are in summer and
all life flourishes mightily. Later the handle points west and we are
in fall and the world closes down. Days shorten and become
colder; life retracts into itself. Finally, when the handle points
north we are in winter and all is quiet in life. Winter is then
followed again by spring and the cycle continues endlessly. Long days
become short, then lengthen again, the weather grows cold then warms
then cools again, browns become green, then become dark again. This is
the year.
Indeed:
29. We speak
of four periods: spring,
summer, fall, and winter. . .
30. . . . these four
seasons
alternate endlessly.
Consider: We have spoken of the directions of the stars, and we have
mentioned their names: north, south, east, and west. Once we know each
of them, then we know as well where we are, it is called the center.
The directions are relative and meaningless unless we know that to
which they relate. Thus the four directions define five locations.
Indeed:
31. We speak
of north, south, east,
and west; . . .
32. . . . these four
directions
define the center.