The Fourth Discourse

The Inferior Man, the Superior Man and the Sage

Tsia Tung: Sifu, in the last lesson you formulated a paradox which seems to have no solution. Like Men Chow, I cannot fault the reasoning, but I cannot bring myself to accept the conclusion, which is that good people are fools.

Fu Hsiang: 'Fools' is perhaps a little harsh, Tsia Tung. Remember people once believed that the sun went round the earth and that the earth was flat. They were not fools. To judge incorrectly does not make one a fool.

Tsia Tung: Nevertheless, I would like to know more of your teaching on this matter.

Fu Hsiang: Very well. But to understand the solution to the paradox, we have to investigate human nature.

Tsia Tung: I am ready to learn.

Fu Hsiang: You have grown up during communism in China and now you are living through capitalism. Have you noticed the changes happening in China now?

36