CROSSROADS - New York Cultural Center

"Certainly there were many
evils that
the men of ancient times
suffered.
But there were, however, the
men of wisdom.
These would teach to other
men the principle
of mutual cohabitation and
of mutual support.
These wise ones chose their
rulers and teachers.
They put to flight the reptiles,
serpents and wild beasts,
and they established man's
primacy.
For those who were cold,
they made clothes;
for those who were hungry,
they prepared food;
for those who lived in trees ...
or in caves ... they made
houses.
They instructed the workers
that they might make utensils;
the merchants that they
might trade things
that they had or of which
they were lacking;
the doctors who would use
the medicines ...
They inculcated recognition
toward benefactors;
they instituted norms that
would assign each to his
proper place.
They created music that
would dissipate the sadness
built up in the
heart,
the government that would
give a shock to negligence,
the punishments that would
break down obstinance.
And since men were
cheating one another
the wise ones dictated to
them...
bushels, liters, weights and
scales in order that they keep
faith in
selling.

And now there are those who
say:
"let's smash these bushels, let's
smash these scales
and then the people won't
have anything to argue
about anymore."

Han Yu (768-824 B.C.),
Fragments of Chinese Doctrine