| Ah Heng's Daoism Page |
| Chapter Seventy Four If the people are not afraid of death, why bother to threaten them with death? Suppose one uses death threat to make the masses fear, anyone who opposes would be killed, now who is afraid? There is always a better executioner who kills more efficiently, replacing the executioner who cannot do it all. To kill in place of the the master who intends to do it, is to ensure the master's hands are not hurt in the process. (Heng: It is not easy to interpret this Chapter. Some philosophers think that this replacement killer is the Heavens that eventually metes out divine retribution to the evil. Hence there needs no effort from the 'master executioner' who intends to overturn the regime. I understand the Chapter. It is not for me to comment, but up to you to decide for yourself.) |
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