External Things (5)

1 One of Laolaizi’s disciples who chopped firewood in the wild field, when backed, he saw a stranger standing by the gate.

2 The disciple told Laolazi, “I see a very strange man outside. He is tall. His legs are strong and stout. Looking him from profile, he is somewhat crookback; ears are adnate on the rear brain. His eyes show that he has ambition to rule the whole world. Who is he?”

3 Laolaizi said excitedly, “He must be Confucius. There is no other man like that. Go and invite him to come in.”

4 After Confucius was invited to come in, Laolaizi said to Confucius, “Confucius! If you would like to lower your profile, to take off your pride and to wipe off your self-flattered cleverness, you would be an amiable man whom others would like to approach. Nowadays, you go around like this but it is certain to be refused everywhere. It is in vain for you to hold a great ambition.”

5 Confucius was rather shocked when he heard the words to the point. He considered in these days why a sage who can rejuvenate state can’t be favored by the court?

6 Laolaizi thought that my attitude was of problem, wasn’t it?

7 Confucius bowed deep to him for thanking him for his reminding like a great alarm. Taking a back step to tidy up his clothes, he changed his serious countenance into a gentle, humble and reverent one. He said, “Thank you for your reminding. If I corrected my attitude, could the king and the ministers receive me? Could they give me a grand play?”

8 Laolaizi replied, “As far as other gives us or not a position is concerned, does it matter? If we can’t master the principle and can’t stand the loss and loneliness so as to choose a master to serve, if we do evil for catering for the king so as to make people bitter and receive notoriety, what are we proud of?

9 What’s bad to be a leisure common guy? Do we take an official just for the fame and wealth? Or do we have to manage to receive the arrangement by the high level official to lead a so-so life because our ability is not enough?

10 Those men who intend to toady to the boss for keeping their position, they are common officials. To us, we are shame to do so.

11 We don’t want to be the official whose purpose is for private interest and fame. Confucius, we should desert the artificial model; for this reason, we don’t linger on praising Yao and slandering Jie. In considering of what we should do, when we are in position, we don’t consider the personal fame and honor. We decide what we should do, what not to do and how to do, basing on the concrete situation.

12 In our mind there has no fixed prejudice in dealing with the current environment. We just do what needed to be done. If we do thing well, there is no condemn naturally.

13 In the past, the successful statesmen always thought over and made detailed investigations before making and carrying out any policy. Only when all the assistant measures were ready, they would start it. Therefore, their governance was smooth and their countries were peaceful. So, as long as you lower your profile and take away your higher pride and take a modest attitude to do, you must be a good official in court or a happy guy on the street. As for taking position or not, you should not be obsessed.”