Taking Precautions
303. Ancient attires and modes of transport were governed by specific regulations to commend virtuous men and to differentiate social status. However, in recent times, everyone is trying to surpass each other in setting up their own rules to pursue monetary or personal gains, even if it means putting their lives at risks. The fact that the Zhou dynasty could enjoy peace and order even though corporal punishments were set aside was because they took preventative measures to stop unhealthy customs from thriving and curbed crimes before they were about to happen.
Scroll 19: Han Shu, Vol. 7
304. One who is able to abstain from desires can be considered supreme, while one who forces himself to suppress his desires is less so. In the past, Emperor Shun buried gold in the dangerously steep mountains and discarded jewelries at the bottom of a deep gorge. When an expert winemaker presented fine wine to King Yu, the king, upon savoring its sweet taste, distanced himself from the winemaker and decreed the prohibition of wine. These are noble examples of self-control that led to the abstinence from desires.
Scroll 47: Zheng Yao Lun
305. Bao Pu Zi said: “When the sun, the moon and the stars were covered by clouds and mists, the light on earth would grow dim. When the roots of plants decayed, branches and twigs would wither. The principles of righteousness might have been compromised in a local area, but the impact that they caused would be deep and far-reaching. When the rulership of the government became inefficient, the populace would suffer from impoverishment.”
Scroll 50: Bao Pu Zi