Page:Horæ Sinicæ, Translations from the Popular Literature of the Chinese (horsinictran00morrrich, Morrison, 1812).djvu/15



In the beginning of man, his nature is good. The operation of nature is immediate; of custom, remote.

If not instructed, nature becomes changed. In learning the path of virtue, excellence consists in devoted application of mind.

In ancient times, the mother of the philosopher Meng-tsi lived in a neighbourhood, where the boy did not learn; in consequence of which, through grief, she cut asunder the web which she was weaving.

Tao, who lived at Yen-shan, adopted wise plans in the education of five sons, and all became illustrious.