Human Nature and Unforced Wisdom
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English translation
Original Chinese text
孟子曰:“天下之言性也,则故而已矣。故者,以利为本。所恶于智者,为其凿也。
English translation
Mencius said, “When people speak of human nature, they are speaking of what is inherent in it, nothing more. What is inherent takes what is fitting as its foundation. What people dislike in cleverness is its contrivance.”
Original Chinese text
如智者,若禹之行水也,则无恶于智矣。禹之行水也,行其所无事也。如智者亦行其所无事,则智亦大矣。
English translation
If the clever acted as Yu did in directing the waters, there would be nothing objectionable in their cleverness. Yu directed the waters by following their natural course and doing nothing contrary to it. If the clever likewise did what required no contrived interference, their wisdom would indeed be great.
Original Chinese text
天之高也,星辰之远也,苟求其故,千岁之日至,可坐而致也。”
English translation
“Though the heavens are high and the stars far away, if one seeks their underlying patterns, the winter solstice a thousand years hence can be calculated while sitting in place.”