Accounts of Laozi and Chuang-Tzŭ Given by Ssŭ-Ma Chʽien explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• The Tao as the Ultimate Principle

  Laozi's teachings focus on the Tao and its attributes, as seen in his book composed at the barrier-gate.

• Wu Wei (Non-Action or Effortless Action)

  Laozi taught that by doing nothing, others are transformed, and rectification comes from being pure and still.

• Simplicity and Humility

  Laozi's advice to Confucius includes putting away proud air and desires, and appearing poor despite rich treasures.

• Critique of Conventional Virtue

  Chuang-tzŭ satirizes Confucians and Mohists, exposing their doctrines through metaphorical illustrations.

Characters to notice

• Laozi

  Surname Li, name Êrh, later Tan; native of Chʽu; curator in the Royal Library; met Confucius in 517 BC; wrote the Tao Te Ching at the request of Yin Hsi; died unknown.

• Chuang Tzŭ

  Native of Mêng in Liang/Wei; held office in Chʽi-yüan; contemporary of Mencius; well-versed in literature; preferred Laozi's views; wrote satirical works; refused high office from King Wei of Chʽu; died with a natural burial.

• Confucius

  Visited Luoyang in 517 BC to question Laozi on ceremonies; compared Laozi to a dragon after their meeting.

• Ssŭ - ma Chʽien

  Historian who wrote about Laozi and Chuang-tzŭ around the beginning of the first century BC; provides the only reliable historical testimony.

• King Wei of Chʽu

  Sent messengers with gifts to recruit Chuang-tzŭ as chief minister; Chuang-tzŭ refused.

• Mencius

  Contemporary of Chuang-tzŭ; both visited the same courts but never mentioned each other.

Key passages

• “I have heard that a good merchant, though he have rich treasures safely stored, appears as if he were poor; and that the superior man, though his virtue be complete, is yet to outward seeming stupid.”

  A wise merchant hides his wealth and appears poor; a virtuous person appears foolish.

  Laozi's advice to Confucius on humility and concealment.

• “I know how birds can fly, fishes can swim, and animals run. But the runner may be snared, the swimmer hooked, and the flyer shot by the arrow. But there is the dragon:—I cannot tell how he mounts on the wind through the clouds, and rises to heaven. Today I have seen Laozi, and can only compare him to the dragon.”

  I understand ordinary creatures, but Laozi is like a dragon—mysterious and beyond comprehension.

  Confucius's reaction after meeting Laozi, comparing him to a dragon.

• “A thousand ounces of silver are a great gain to me, and to be a high noble and minister is most honourable position. But have you not seen the victim-ox for the border sacrifice? It is carefully fed for several years, and robed with rich embroidery that it may be fit to enter the Grand Temple. When the time comes for it to do so, it would prefer to be a little pig, but it cannot get to be so. Go away quickly, and do not soil me with your presence.”

  Wealth and high office are tempting, but they come with constraints like a sacrificial ox; I prefer freedom.

  Chuang-tzŭ's refusal of King Wei's offer, using the metaphor of a sacrificial ox.

• “I shall have heaven and earth for my coffin and its shell; the sun and moon for my two round symbols of jade; the stars and constellations for my pearls and jewels;—will not the provisions for my interment be complete? What would you add to them?”

  The universe itself is my burial; I need no human-made funeral.

  Chuang-tzŭ's final words, rejecting a grand burial.