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Tao Stoic 1

'Master I am puzzled.'

'That is the beginning of wisdom' (Kung Fu 25 2)

"What is it you are puzzled about?"

"I saw a man riding a horse."

"Was it because he was in danger of his life?"

"No, it was for his pleasure."

"Then it cannot have been a man, only a despicable caricature of man. The man was pseudo-happy, the horse a slave. Is it not the duty of every sane man to see to the happiness of all living things? Their happiness is unavoidably linked up with our very existence. To enslave an animal without dire need is not the 'Way', not happiness, not harmony with Nature, therefore contrary to man's Dignity." [40]


Ven 2005-01-24