A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems/The Philosophers
For works with similar titles, see The Philosophers.
THE PHILOSOPHERS
Lao-tzŭ
"Those who speak know nothing;
Those who know are silent."
These words, as I am told.
Were spoken by Lao-tzŭ.
If we are to believe that Lao-tzŭ
Was himself one who knew,
How comes it that he wrote a book
Of five thousand words?
Chuang-tzŭ, the Monist
Chuang-tzŭ levels all things
And reduces them to the same Monad.
But I say that even in their sameness
Difference may be found.
Although in following the promptings of their nature
They display the same tendency,
Yet it seems to me that in some ways
A phœnix is superior to a reptile!