-
Articles/Ads
Article THE LIFE OF CONFUCIUS. ← Page 5 of 5 Article ON DREAMS. Page 1 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Life Of Confucius.
precepts , very affecting and important . One of his observations is , that he never found any man , however good , so ardent in the pursuit of virtue , as the voluptuous in qtiesfof pleasure : a remark not less striking by its truth , than by its severity . One of his scholars once asked him , by what means he should die well ; but was answered by him , ' you have not yet learned to live
well , and yet think it necessary to enquire after death : ' a reply in which the way to die well is very emphatically taught . ' Life and death , ' says Confucius , ' depend on the law of Heaven fJTyenJ which no man can alter ; poverty and riches are dispensed by Heaven , whose Providence is not subject to compulsion . From a submissive reverence of these laws and dispensations the wise man
derives his tranquillity and happiness . There are other maxims relating to ceconomy , or the conduct of a private life ; others to the administration of public affairs ; and others which contain rules of general conduct . ' Three sorts of friends , ' says Confucius , ' are useful ; those that are virtuous , those that ,-ire open , and those that are learned . He that is of an inconstant temper , ' says
he , will never encrease the number cf" the sages . He ' that easily promises will often deceive . ' His whole doctrine tends to the propagation of virtue , and the restitution of human nature to its original perfection ; and it is related that his precepts always received illustration from his example ; and that in all conditions of life he took care to prove by his conduct , that lie required no more from others , than he thought it his own duty to ' perform . .
On Dreams.
ON DREAMS .
TT is not our intention to write a regular treatise on Dreaming , either - * physiological or metaphysical . The subjeCt has been copiously handled by various great writers , both ancient and modern . Still it seems to be as much involved in obscurity , as it . was in the most early ages , so far , at least , as respects a knowledge of its causes . A superstitious regard to dreams has , indeed , greatly decreased ; but it may
be questioned , whether a renunciation of all faith in them is not connected with infideitty . It is not impossible that the superior orders of intelligence , commonly called angels , may hold communication with the human spirit , even while it is imprisoned in mortal clay . Such a communication may be kept up with peculiar advantage while the body is asleep . This is an opinion as ancient and as universal as
the world itself . It , nv . reover , has ihe awful authority of Scripture for its support ; nor is it by any means repugnant to the principles of reason . Without believing in this communication , it must be absolutely impossible to account , in any rational way , for the wonderful phEencmena which frequently occur in dreaming . Instances of accidents prevented , intelligence communicated , and solemn warnings g iven through this channel , might be produced , sufficient to fill a
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Life Of Confucius.
precepts , very affecting and important . One of his observations is , that he never found any man , however good , so ardent in the pursuit of virtue , as the voluptuous in qtiesfof pleasure : a remark not less striking by its truth , than by its severity . One of his scholars once asked him , by what means he should die well ; but was answered by him , ' you have not yet learned to live
well , and yet think it necessary to enquire after death : ' a reply in which the way to die well is very emphatically taught . ' Life and death , ' says Confucius , ' depend on the law of Heaven fJTyenJ which no man can alter ; poverty and riches are dispensed by Heaven , whose Providence is not subject to compulsion . From a submissive reverence of these laws and dispensations the wise man
derives his tranquillity and happiness . There are other maxims relating to ceconomy , or the conduct of a private life ; others to the administration of public affairs ; and others which contain rules of general conduct . ' Three sorts of friends , ' says Confucius , ' are useful ; those that are virtuous , those that ,-ire open , and those that are learned . He that is of an inconstant temper , ' says
he , will never encrease the number cf" the sages . He ' that easily promises will often deceive . ' His whole doctrine tends to the propagation of virtue , and the restitution of human nature to its original perfection ; and it is related that his precepts always received illustration from his example ; and that in all conditions of life he took care to prove by his conduct , that lie required no more from others , than he thought it his own duty to ' perform . .
On Dreams.
ON DREAMS .
TT is not our intention to write a regular treatise on Dreaming , either - * physiological or metaphysical . The subjeCt has been copiously handled by various great writers , both ancient and modern . Still it seems to be as much involved in obscurity , as it . was in the most early ages , so far , at least , as respects a knowledge of its causes . A superstitious regard to dreams has , indeed , greatly decreased ; but it may
be questioned , whether a renunciation of all faith in them is not connected with infideitty . It is not impossible that the superior orders of intelligence , commonly called angels , may hold communication with the human spirit , even while it is imprisoned in mortal clay . Such a communication may be kept up with peculiar advantage while the body is asleep . This is an opinion as ancient and as universal as
the world itself . It , nv . reover , has ihe awful authority of Scripture for its support ; nor is it by any means repugnant to the principles of reason . Without believing in this communication , it must be absolutely impossible to account , in any rational way , for the wonderful phEencmena which frequently occur in dreaming . Instances of accidents prevented , intelligence communicated , and solemn warnings g iven through this channel , might be produced , sufficient to fill a