Hui Tzŭ said to Chuang Tzŭ, "Your theme, Sir, is the useless."
"You must understand the useless," replied Chuang Tzŭ, "before you can discuss the useful.
"For instance, the earth is of huge proportions, yet man uses of it only as much as is covered by the sole of his foot. By and by, he turns up his toes and goes beneath it to the Yellow Spring. Has he any further use for it?"
"He has none," replied Hui Tzŭ.
"And in like manner," replied Chuang Tzŭ, "may be demonstrated the use of the useless.
"Could a man transcend the limits of the human," said Chuang Tzŭ, "would he not do so? Unable to do so, how should he succeed?
"The determination to retire, to renounce the world,—such alas! is not the fruit of perfect wisdom or immaculate virtue. From cataclysms ahead, these do not turn back; nor do they heed the approach of devouring flame. Although there are class distinctions of high and low, these are but for a time, and under the changed conditions of a new sphere are unknown.
In the transcendental state.
"Wherefore it has been said, 'The perfect man leaves no trace behind.'
"For instance, to glorify the past and to condemn the present has always been the way of the scholar.