saying, "Can one get Tao so as to have it for one's own?"
"Your very body," replied Ch'êng, "is not your own. How should Tao be?"
"If my body," said Shun, "is not my own, pray whose is it?"
"It is the delegated image of God," replied Ch'êng. "Your life is not your own. It is the delegated harmony of God.
The affinity of the Yin and Yang causes them, when in due proportions, to combine and produce life.
Your individuality is not your own. It is the delegated adaptability of God.
Providing the endless variety of shapes with an endless variety of complexion.
Your posterity is not your own. It is the delegated exuviæ of God.
As God sends us into the world, so He wishes us to "increase and multiply."