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The Book of Poetry, tr. by James Legge, [1876], at sacred-texts.com


V

The Fa Ko; metaphorical. While there is a proper and necessary way for everything, man need not go far to find what it is.

1In hewing an ax shaft, how must you act?
  Another ax take, or you'll never succeed.
In taking a wife, be sure ‘tis a fact,
  That with no go-between you never can speed.

2In hewing an ax shaft, hewing a shaft,
  For a copy you have the ax in your hand.
In choosing a wife, you follow the craft,
  And forthwith on the mats the feast vessels stand.


Next: VI. Chiu Yü