Note 139.
I have received much—the whole doctrine of clear purity.
The principles of Taoism are called literally "the clear pure doctrines."
Note 140.
Why should I wait for the Man of Wisdom?
An allusion to the eccentric Wang Hui-chih (A.D. 388), who made a long journey through the snow to see a friend, but missed him.
[FAREWELL WORDS TO THE DAUGHTER OF THE HOUSE OF YANG]
Note 141.
The sacredness with which the Chinese regard their family ties is well known, but it is perhaps not realized that the Chinese conception of the duties owed to friendship entails very great responsibilities. If a friend dies, it is a man's duty to see that his family do not suffer in any way. Wei Ying-wu is probably addressing the daughter of some dead friend whom he has brought up in his own family, or she may be a poor relation on his mother's side, but that she is not his own daughter is clear from the fact that her clan name differs from his, which is Wei.