The Proverbs Of Confucius.

I.     Threefold is the march of time     While the future slow advances,     Like a dart the present glances,     Silent stands the past sublime.     No impatience e'er can speed him     On his course if he delay;     No alarm, no doubts impede him     If he keep his onward way;     No regrets, no magic numbers     Wake the tranced one from his slumbers.     Wouldst thou wisely and with pleasure,     Pass the days of life's short measure,     From the slow one counsel take,     But a tool of him ne'er make;     Ne'er as friend the swift one know,     Nor the constant one as foe!          II.     Threefold is the form of space:     Length, with ever restless motion,     Seeks eternity's wide ocean;     Breadth with boundless sway extends;     Depth to unknown realms descends.     All as types to thee are given;     Thou must onward strive for heaven,     Never still or weary be     Would'st thou perfect glory see;     Far must thy researches go.     Wouldst thou learn the world to know;     Thou must tempt the dark abyss     Wouldst thou prove what Being is.     Naught but firmness gains the prize,     Naught but fulness makes us wise,     Buried deep, truth ever lies!