"Have you only just found that out?" said P'u I Tzŭ. "The Emperor Shun was not equal to T'ai Huang.
A legendary ruler. For Shun, see [ch. i].
Shun was all for charity in his zeal for mankind; but although he succeeded in government, he himself never rose above the level of artificiality. Now T'ai Huang was peaceful when asleep and inactive when awake. At one time he would think himself a horse; at another, an ox.
So effectually had he closed all channels leading to consciousness of self.
His wisdom was substantial and above suspicion. His virtue was genuine indeed. And yet he never sank to the level of artificiality."
He was a monarch after the pattern of Tao.
Chien Wu meeting the eccentric Chieh Yü, the latter enquired, saying, "What did Jih Chung Shih teach you?"
Of the last nothing is known. The first two have been already mentioned in chs. [i]. and [vi].
"He taught me," replied Chien Wu, "about the laws and regulations which princes evolve, and which he said none would venture not to hear and obey."