Man: 'White horse in not horse.' True?
QSL: Yes.
Man: Why?
QSL: 'Horse' defines an animal; 'White' defines a color.
Specifying color is not specifying animal.
Hence, 'White horse is not horse.'
Man: 'Have horse' is not the same as 'Have no horse'.
Is not 'Have no horse' the same as 'not horse'?
But 'Have white horse' is the same 'Have horse - white'.
Why is 'White Horse' 'Not Horse'?
QSL: If you want a horse, any yellow or black horse will do.
If you want a white horse, yellow or black forse will not do.
If white horse were the same as horse, then you want the
same thing. If it were the same thing, then the horse need
not be white. If it makes no differnece, then yellow or
black horse will do.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Mark the Spot
A man from the state of Chu was crossing a river. In the boat, his sword fell into the water. Immediately he made a mark on the side of the boat.
"This is where my sword fell off," he said.
When the boat stopped moving, he went into the water to look for his sword at the place where he had marked the boat.
The boat had moved but the sword had not. Is this not a very foolish way to look for the lost sword?
"This is where my sword fell off," he said.
When the boat stopped moving, he went into the water to look for his sword at the place where he had marked the boat.
The boat had moved but the sword had not. Is this not a very foolish way to look for the lost sword?
Stealing a Bell with One's Ears Plugged
During the last days of State of Fan , there was a thief who came upon a bell. He wanted to steal it, but it was too heavy to cart away. So he decided to break the bell into pieces. When he hit the bell with the hammer, the bell rang loudly.
Not wanting others to hear the noises, he covered up his ears.
By logic, not wanting others to hear the noises is understandable.
To accomplish this by covering one's own ears, so one cannot hear himself, is absurd.
Not wanting others to hear the noises, he covered up his ears.
By logic, not wanting others to hear the noises is understandable.
To accomplish this by covering one's own ears, so one cannot hear himself, is absurd.
Blind Man and the Sun
Once upon a time, there was a blind man who does not know what the Sun is. So he asks other people to explain.
One man said, "The Sun is shaped like a copper plate." So the blind man banged on a copper plate, and listened to its clanging sound.
Later when he heard the sound of a temple bell, he thought that must be the Sun.
Another man said,"The Sun gives out light just like a candle." So the blind man hold a candle to feel its shape.
Later when he picked up a flute, he thought that this must be the Sun.
Yet we know that he Sun is vastly different from a bell or a flute; but a blind man does not understand the differences, because he has never seen the Sun and only heard it described.
One man said, "The Sun is shaped like a copper plate." So the blind man banged on a copper plate, and listened to its clanging sound.
Later when he heard the sound of a temple bell, he thought that must be the Sun.
Another man said,"The Sun gives out light just like a candle." So the blind man hold a candle to feel its shape.
Later when he picked up a flute, he thought that this must be the Sun.
Yet we know that he Sun is vastly different from a bell or a flute; but a blind man does not understand the differences, because he has never seen the Sun and only heard it described.
Carry a Long Pole Through the Gate
A man from Lu tried to enter the City Gate carrying a long pole.
First, he held the pole upright, but the pole could not pass through the gate.
Then he held it horizontally; but it still could not pass through. He was stumped.
By and by an old man came along and said to him, "I am not a Saint; but I have a lot of practical experience. Why not cut the pole in two at the middle?"
So the man cut the pole in two at the middle.
First, he held the pole upright, but the pole could not pass through the gate.
Then he held it horizontally; but it still could not pass through. He was stumped.
By and by an old man came along and said to him, "I am not a Saint; but I have a lot of practical experience. Why not cut the pole in two at the middle?"
So the man cut the pole in two at the middle.
Ph.D. Selling a Donkey
The Chinese have been granting Ph.D. degrees thousands of years before the universities in Europe.
Here is a story from the history book, poking fun at them.
Once upon a time, a man wishing to sell his donkey ask a Ph.D. to write a 'For Sale sign' to take to the market.
After three pages of composition, the word 'donkey' has yet to appear.
The man was disappointed.
Here is a story from the history book, poking fun at them.
Once upon a time, a man wishing to sell his donkey ask a Ph.D. to write a 'For Sale sign' to take to the market.
After three pages of composition, the word 'donkey' has yet to appear.
The man was disappointed.
Blessing or Bane
Near China's northern borders lived a man well versed in the practices of Taoism. His horse, for no reason at all, got into the territory of the northern tribes. Everyone commiserated with him.
"Perhaps this will soon turn out to be a blessing," said his father.
After a few months, his animal came back, leading a fine horse from the north. Everyone congratulated him.
"Perhaps this will soon turn out to be a cause of misfortune," said his father.
Since he was well-off and kept good horses his son became fond of riding and eventually broke his thigh bone falling from a horse. Everyone commiserated with him.
"Perhaps this will soon turn out to be a blessing," said his father.
One year later, the northern tribes started a big invasion of the border regions. All able-bodied young men took up arms and fought against the invaders, and as a result, around the border nine out of ten men died. This man's son did not join in the fighting because he was crippled and so both the boy and his father survived.
"Perhaps this will soon turn out to be a blessing," said his father.
After a few months, his animal came back, leading a fine horse from the north. Everyone congratulated him.
"Perhaps this will soon turn out to be a cause of misfortune," said his father.
Since he was well-off and kept good horses his son became fond of riding and eventually broke his thigh bone falling from a horse. Everyone commiserated with him.
"Perhaps this will soon turn out to be a blessing," said his father.
One year later, the northern tribes started a big invasion of the border regions. All able-bodied young men took up arms and fought against the invaders, and as a result, around the border nine out of ten men died. This man's son did not join in the fighting because he was crippled and so both the boy and his father survived.
Unpenetrable Shield and All-piercing Spear
An armorer of Chu boldly claims to make the best spears and shields.
"My shields are so strong; they cannot be penetrated by any weapon," he said.
"My spears are so sharp; they can pierce any shield," he further said.
A man asks, "If your spear is thrown at your shield, what then?"
The armorer had no reply.
By logic, both an unpenetrable shield and an all-piercing spear can not exist at the same time.
"My shields are so strong; they cannot be penetrated by any weapon," he said.
"My spears are so sharp; they can pierce any shield," he further said.
A man asks, "If your spear is thrown at your shield, what then?"
The armorer had no reply.
By logic, both an unpenetrable shield and an all-piercing spear can not exist at the same time.
Close the Barn Door after the Sheeps are Stolen
What is the moral of this story?
Have you heard a similar story in Western literature about
closing the barn door after the horses are stolen?
Is it too late? Or, better late than never?
Should we not learn from past mistakes?
Do we never get a second chance?
Have you heard a similar story in Western literature about
closing the barn door after the horses are stolen?
Is it too late? Or, better late than never?
Should we not learn from past mistakes?
Do we never get a second chance?
Kuafu Chased the Sun
It is said that in antiquity a god named KuaFu determined
to have a race with the Sun and catch up with Him. So he
rushed in the direction of the Sun. Finally, he almost ran
neck and neck with the Sun, when he was too thirsty and hot
to continue. Where could he find some water? Just then the
Yellow River and Wei River came into sight, roaring on.
He swooped upon them earnestly and drank the whole river.
But he still felt thirsty and hot, thereupon, he marched
northward for the lakes in the north of China.
Unfortunately, he fell down and died halfway because of thirst.
With his fall, down dropped his cane. Then the cane became
a stretch of peach, green and lush.
And so comes the idiom, KuaFu chased the Sun, which becomes
the trope of man's determination and volition against nature.
to have a race with the Sun and catch up with Him. So he
rushed in the direction of the Sun. Finally, he almost ran
neck and neck with the Sun, when he was too thirsty and hot
to continue. Where could he find some water? Just then the
Yellow River and Wei River came into sight, roaring on.
He swooped upon them earnestly and drank the whole river.
But he still felt thirsty and hot, thereupon, he marched
northward for the lakes in the north of China.
Unfortunately, he fell down and died halfway because of thirst.
With his fall, down dropped his cane. Then the cane became
a stretch of peach, green and lush.
And so comes the idiom, KuaFu chased the Sun, which becomes
the trope of man's determination and volition against nature.
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder
On the way to Song, Yang meets a man at the twon of Ni, who has two wives. One is pretty and the other plain. Yet he favors the plain wife. So Yang asks he why?
The man answers:
"The pretty one knows she is pretty. I don't.
The plain one knows she is plain. I don't.
A bad person knows he is bad. I don't."
Yang says:
"I shall remember the lesson.
The Saint behaves as a Saint, by his own volition."
The man answers:
"The pretty one knows she is pretty. I don't.
The plain one knows she is plain. I don't.
A bad person knows he is bad. I don't."
Yang says:
"I shall remember the lesson.
The Saint behaves as a Saint, by his own volition."
Be humble, and never hesitate to ask
ZiGong asked, saying, "On what ground did KungYu get that title of Wen?"
The Master said, "He was of an active nature and yet fond of learning, and he was not ashamed to ask and learn of his inferiors! -On these grounds he has been styled Wen."
During the time known in the Chinese history as 'Spring and Autumn' , there lived an aristocrat by the name of Kung Yu . He as a learned and humble man. After his death, the Duke of Wei awarded him the honorific title of 'Wen'. Thus he became known as Kung WenZi.
ZiGong, a student of Confucius who also came from Wei, didn't think Kung Yu was worthy of such high honor. One day, he asked Confucius, "Why was he given the title of 'Wen'?"
Confucius replied, "Kung Yu was diligent in learning and very smart. Yet he was humble and not afraid to ask questions of people who are not as smart or learned as he was. That is why he deserved the title of 'Wen'."
The story is told in Analect, Chapter 5, Section 15. Ever since, the phrase, "Be humble and not hesitate to ask those who may be lesser than you are." has been a motto to one and all.
The Master said, "He was of an active nature and yet fond of learning, and he was not ashamed to ask and learn of his inferiors! -On these grounds he has been styled Wen."
During the time known in the Chinese history as 'Spring and Autumn' , there lived an aristocrat by the name of Kung Yu . He as a learned and humble man. After his death, the Duke of Wei awarded him the honorific title of 'Wen'. Thus he became known as Kung WenZi.
ZiGong, a student of Confucius who also came from Wei, didn't think Kung Yu was worthy of such high honor. One day, he asked Confucius, "Why was he given the title of 'Wen'?"
Confucius replied, "Kung Yu was diligent in learning and very smart. Yet he was humble and not afraid to ask questions of people who are not as smart or learned as he was. That is why he deserved the title of 'Wen'."
The story is told in Analect, Chapter 5, Section 15. Ever since, the phrase, "Be humble and not hesitate to ask those who may be lesser than you are." has been a motto to one and all.
Confucius Says
Confucius said,
"To learn and to practise what is learned time and again is pleasure, is it not?
To have friends come from afar* is happiness, is it not?
To be unperturbed when not appreciated by others is gentlemenaly, is it not? "
"To learn and to practise what is learned time and again is pleasure, is it not?
To have friends come from afar* is happiness, is it not?
To be unperturbed when not appreciated by others is gentlemenaly, is it not? "
Is the Sun farther away in the morning? An Argument about the Sun
When Confucius was traveling in the eastern part of the country, he came upon two children hot in argument, so he asked them to tell him what it was all about.
"I think," said one child, "that the sun is near to us at daybreak and far away from us at noon."
The other contended that the sun was far away at dawn and nearby at midday.
"When the sun first appears," said one child, "it is as big as the canopy of a carriage, but at noon it is only the size of a plate or a bowl. Well, isn't it true that objects far away seem smaller while those nearby seem bigger?"
"When the sun comes out," pointed out the other, "it is very cool, but at midday it is as hot as putting your hand in boiling water. Well, isn't it true that what is nearer to us is hotter and what is farther off is cooler?"
Confucius was unable to settle the matter for them.
The two children laughed at him, "Who says you are a learned man?"
"I think," said one child, "that the sun is near to us at daybreak and far away from us at noon."
The other contended that the sun was far away at dawn and nearby at midday.
"When the sun first appears," said one child, "it is as big as the canopy of a carriage, but at noon it is only the size of a plate or a bowl. Well, isn't it true that objects far away seem smaller while those nearby seem bigger?"
"When the sun comes out," pointed out the other, "it is very cool, but at midday it is as hot as putting your hand in boiling water. Well, isn't it true that what is nearer to us is hotter and what is farther off is cooler?"
Confucius was unable to settle the matter for them.
The two children laughed at him, "Who says you are a learned man?"
Pot Calling Kettle Black
Mencius said to King Hui, "Let's use fightings of a battle as an exemple. After a fierce engagement, the soldiers threw down their armnament and retreated.
Some soldiers retreated 50 paces; other 100 paces. Those retreating 50 paces laughed at those who retreated 100 paces. What do you say?"
The King replied, "No. Even if one does not retreat 100 paces, it is retreating nevertheless."
Some soldiers retreated 50 paces; other 100 paces. Those retreating 50 paces laughed at those who retreated 100 paces. What do you say?"
The King replied, "No. Even if one does not retreat 100 paces, it is retreating nevertheless."
Lack of a Business Plan
A man of the state of Lu was skilled in weaving hemp sandals while his wife was good at weaving fine white silk. The couple thought of moving to the state of Yue in the south.
"You will be in dire straits," he was told.
"Why?" asked the man of Lu.
"Hemp sandals are for walking but the people of Yue walk barefoot. White silk is for making hats but the people of Yue go about bare-headed. If you go to a place where your skills are utterly useless, how can you hope to do well?"
"You will be in dire straits," he was told.
"Why?" asked the man of Lu.
"Hemp sandals are for walking but the people of Yue walk barefoot. White silk is for making hats but the people of Yue go about bare-headed. If you go to a place where your skills are utterly useless, how can you hope to do well?"
Flute Player
Whenever King Xuan of Qi had musicians playing the yu, a wind instrument with reed, he will have three hundred of them playing together. Knowing this, a student from Nanguo applied for a job. The king accepted and paid him the same salary as the others.
After the death of King Xuan, King Min became the ruler of Qi. He liked to have the musicians playing solo. the student from Nanguo fled.
After the death of King Xuan, King Min became the ruler of Qi. He liked to have the musicians playing solo. the student from Nanguo fled.
It Took Three Years to Make a Leaf
In the state of Song an artisan carved a mulberry leaf out of ivory for the King. It took him three years. The ivory leaf has a pleasing shape, delicate veins, fine hairs and lustrous color. When placed among real mulberry leaves, it was indistinguishable from real ones. The man received a generous stipend from the King for his accomplishment.
Lie Zi heard about this. "If it takes three years for Mother Nature to produce a single leaf," he pointed out, "then there would hardly be any trees with leaves in the world."
Lie Zi heard about this. "If it takes three years for Mother Nature to produce a single leaf," he pointed out, "then there would hardly be any trees with leaves in the world."
Rain Ruined the Wall
There was a rich man from Song, whose house wall was ruined by heavy rain.
His son said, "If we don't repair the wall at once, thieves may come at night." And his neighbor's father told him the same thing.
Sure enough, thieves came at night, and he suffered heavy losses.
The rich man thought his son was very smart; but he was suspicious of his neighbor's father.
Both men said the same thing. Yet he thought well of one and ill of the other person. Knowing the facts is easy. Knowing how to act based on the facts is difficult.
His son said, "If we don't repair the wall at once, thieves may come at night." And his neighbor's father told him the same thing.
Sure enough, thieves came at night, and he suffered heavy losses.
The rich man thought his son was very smart; but he was suspicious of his neighbor's father.
Both men said the same thing. Yet he thought well of one and ill of the other person. Knowing the facts is easy. Knowing how to act based on the facts is difficult.
Old Horse Knows the Way
Guan Zhong accompanied Load Huan of Qi in attacking Guzhu. Spring passed and winter returned, and they became lost on the wrong road. Guan Zhong said: "We can use the wisdom of an old horse. Release the old horses and follow them, and thereby reach the right road."
Carving Up an Ox
A cook was butchering an ox for Duke Wen Hui.
The places his hand touched,
His shoulder leaned against,
His foot stepped on,
His knee pressed upon,
Came apart with a sound.
He moved the blade, making a noise
That never fell out of rhythm.
It harmonized with the Mulberry Woods Dance,
Like music from ancient times.
Duke Wen Hui exclaimed: "Ah! Excellent!
Your skill has advanced to this level?"
"What I follow is Tao,
The cook puts down the knife and answered:
Which is beyond all skills.
"When I started butchering,
What I saw was nothing but the whole ox.
After three years,
I no longer saw the whole ox.
"Nowadays, I meet it with my mind
Rather than see it with my eyes.
My sensory organs are inactive
While I direct the mind's movement.
"It goes according to natural laws,
Striking apart large gaps,
Moving toward large openings,
Following its natural structure.
"Even places where tendons attach to bones
Give no resistance,
Never mind the larger bones!
"A good cook goes through a knife in a year,
Because he cuts.
An average cook goes through a knife in a month,
Because he hacks.
"I have used this knife for nineteen years.
It has butchered thousands of oxen,
But the blade is still like it's newly sharpened.
"The joints have openings,
And the knife's blade has no thickness.
Apply this lack of thickness into the openings,
And the moving blade swishes through,
With room to spare!
"That's why after nineteen years,
The blade is still like it's newly sharpened.
"Nevertheless, every time I come across joints,
I see its tricky parts,
I pay attention and use caution,
My vision concentrates,
My movement slows down.
"I move the knife very slightly,
Whump! It has already separated.
The ox doesn't even know it's dead,
and falls to the ground like mud.
"I stand holding the knife,
And look all around it.
The work gives me much satisfaction.
I clean the knife and put it away."
Duke Wen Hui said: "Excellent!
I listen to your words,
And learn a principle of life."
The places his hand touched,
His shoulder leaned against,
His foot stepped on,
His knee pressed upon,
Came apart with a sound.
He moved the blade, making a noise
That never fell out of rhythm.
It harmonized with the Mulberry Woods Dance,
Like music from ancient times.
Duke Wen Hui exclaimed: "Ah! Excellent!
Your skill has advanced to this level?"
"What I follow is Tao,
The cook puts down the knife and answered:
Which is beyond all skills.
"When I started butchering,
What I saw was nothing but the whole ox.
After three years,
I no longer saw the whole ox.
"Nowadays, I meet it with my mind
Rather than see it with my eyes.
My sensory organs are inactive
While I direct the mind's movement.
"It goes according to natural laws,
Striking apart large gaps,
Moving toward large openings,
Following its natural structure.
"Even places where tendons attach to bones
Give no resistance,
Never mind the larger bones!
"A good cook goes through a knife in a year,
Because he cuts.
An average cook goes through a knife in a month,
Because he hacks.
"I have used this knife for nineteen years.
It has butchered thousands of oxen,
But the blade is still like it's newly sharpened.
"The joints have openings,
And the knife's blade has no thickness.
Apply this lack of thickness into the openings,
And the moving blade swishes through,
With room to spare!
"That's why after nineteen years,
The blade is still like it's newly sharpened.
"Nevertheless, every time I come across joints,
I see its tricky parts,
I pay attention and use caution,
My vision concentrates,
My movement slows down.
"I move the knife very slightly,
Whump! It has already separated.
The ox doesn't even know it's dead,
and falls to the ground like mud.
"I stand holding the knife,
And look all around it.
The work gives me much satisfaction.
I clean the knife and put it away."
Duke Wen Hui said: "Excellent!
I listen to your words,
And learn a principle of life."
3 bananas in the Morning and 4 in the Afternoon
Zhuangzi told this story to his disciples to make a point.
Once a zookeeper said to his monkeys: "You'll get 3 bananas in the Morning and 4 in the afternoon."
All monkeys are upset.
"OK. How about 4 bananas in Morning and 3 in the afternoon?"
Hearing this, the monkeys are content.
One should realize that sometimes a change in phrasing does not represent a real change.
Once a zookeeper said to his monkeys: "You'll get 3 bananas in the Morning and 4 in the afternoon."
All monkeys are upset.
"OK. How about 4 bananas in Morning and 3 in the afternoon?"
Hearing this, the monkeys are content.
One should realize that sometimes a change in phrasing does not represent a real change.
These Fish Are Happy
One day Zhuangzi and Huizi are strolling on Bridge Hao.
Zhuangzi : "Look how happy the fish are just swimming around in the river."
Huizi : "How do you know they are happy? You are not a fish."
Zhuangzi: "And you are not me. How do you know I don't know the fish are happy?"
Huizi: "Of course I'm not you, and I don't know what you think;
But I do know that you're not a fish,
and so you couldn't possibly know the fish are happy."
Zhuangzi: "Look, when you asked me how I knew the fish were happy,
you already knew that I knew the fish were happy.
I knew it from my feelings standing on this bridge.
Zhuangzi : "Look how happy the fish are just swimming around in the river."
Huizi : "How do you know they are happy? You are not a fish."
Zhuangzi: "And you are not me. How do you know I don't know the fish are happy?"
Huizi: "Of course I'm not you, and I don't know what you think;
But I do know that you're not a fish,
and so you couldn't possibly know the fish are happy."
Zhuangzi: "Look, when you asked me how I knew the fish were happy,
you already knew that I knew the fish were happy.
I knew it from my feelings standing on this bridge.
Duke and the Wheelwright
Duke Huan was reading a book in the hall. Wheelwright Pian, who had been chiseling a wheel in the courtyard below, set down his tools and climbed the stairs to ask Duke Huan:
"may I ask what words are in the book Your Grace is reading?"
"The classic of a famous sage." the Duke responded.
"Is he still alive?"
"Oh no, he is long dead"
"Then you've been reading the dregs left over by a dead man, isn't it?"
Duke Huan said, " How dare a wheelwright to have opinions about the book I read! If you can explain yourself, I'll let it pass. Otherwise, it's death!"
W'heelwright Pian said, "In my case I see things in terms of my own work. I chisel at a wheel. If I go too slow, the chisel slides and does not stay put. If I hurry, it jams and doesn't move properly. When it is just right, I can feel it in my hand and respond to it from my heart. I can explain this to my son, but I cannot pass on the skills to him. That is why at seventy years old, I am still making wheels. The sage who couldn't pass down his wisdom is already dead; and that's why I say the book you're reading is merely the dregs of a dean man."
"may I ask what words are in the book Your Grace is reading?"
"The classic of a famous sage." the Duke responded.
"Is he still alive?"
"Oh no, he is long dead"
"Then you've been reading the dregs left over by a dead man, isn't it?"
Duke Huan said, " How dare a wheelwright to have opinions about the book I read! If you can explain yourself, I'll let it pass. Otherwise, it's death!"
W'heelwright Pian said, "In my case I see things in terms of my own work. I chisel at a wheel. If I go too slow, the chisel slides and does not stay put. If I hurry, it jams and doesn't move properly. When it is just right, I can feel it in my hand and respond to it from my heart. I can explain this to my son, but I cannot pass on the skills to him. That is why at seventy years old, I am still making wheels. The sage who couldn't pass down his wisdom is already dead; and that's why I say the book you're reading is merely the dregs of a dean man."
How Can I Use Big Gourds
HuiZi said to ZhuangZi, "The Prince of Wei gave me a seed of a large-sized kind of gourd. I planted it, and it bore a fruit as big as a five bushel measure. Now had I used this for holding liquids, it would have been too heavy to lift; and had I cut it in half for ladles, the ladles would have been too flat for such purpose. Certainly it was a huge thing, but I had no use for it and so I broke it up."
"It was rather you did not know how to use large things," replied ZhuangZi. "There was a man in the Song Dynasty who had a recipe for salve for chapped hands, his family having been silk-washers for generations. A stranger who had heard of it came and offered him a hundred ounces of silver for this recipe; whereupon he called together his clansmen and said, 'We have never made much money by silk-washing. Now, we can sell the recipe for a hundred ounces in a single day. Let the stranger have it.'
"The stranger got the recipe, and went and had an interview with the Prince of Wu. The Yueh State was in trouble, and the Prince of Wu sent a general to fight a naval battle with Yueh at the beginning of winter. The latter was totally defeated, and the stranger was rewarded with a piece of the King's territory. Thus, while the efficacy of the salve* to cure chapped hands was in both cases the same, its applications were different. Here, it secured a title; there, the people remained silk-washers.
"Now as to your five-bushel gourd, why did you not make a float of it, and float about over river and lake? And you complain of its being too flat for holding things! I fear your mind is stuffy inside."
"It was rather you did not know how to use large things," replied ZhuangZi. "There was a man in the Song Dynasty who had a recipe for salve for chapped hands, his family having been silk-washers for generations. A stranger who had heard of it came and offered him a hundred ounces of silver for this recipe; whereupon he called together his clansmen and said, 'We have never made much money by silk-washing. Now, we can sell the recipe for a hundred ounces in a single day. Let the stranger have it.'
"The stranger got the recipe, and went and had an interview with the Prince of Wu. The Yueh State was in trouble, and the Prince of Wu sent a general to fight a naval battle with Yueh at the beginning of winter. The latter was totally defeated, and the stranger was rewarded with a piece of the King's territory. Thus, while the efficacy of the salve* to cure chapped hands was in both cases the same, its applications were different. Here, it secured a title; there, the people remained silk-washers.
"Now as to your five-bushel gourd, why did you not make a float of it, and float about over river and lake? And you complain of its being too flat for holding things! I fear your mind is stuffy inside."
Old Man Moves a Mountain
Tatxmg and Wangwu are two mountains with an area of seven hundred li square and rise to a great height of thousands of ren. They were originally situated south of Jizhou and north of Heyang.
North of the mountains lived an old man called Yugong who was nearly ninety years old. Since his home faced the two mountains, he was troubled by the fact that they blocked the way of the inhabitants who had to take a roundabout route whenever they went out. He gathered his family together to discuss the matter.
"Let us do everything in our power to flatten these forbidding mountains so that there is a direct route to the south of Yuzhou reaching the southern bank of the Han River. What do you say?" Everyone applauded his suggestion.
His wife voiced her doubts. "You are not strong enough even to remove a small hillock like Kuifu. How can you tackle TaTxmg and Wangwu? And where would you dump the earth and rocks?"
"We can dump it into the edge of the Bo Sea and north of Yintu," said everyone.
Therefore Yugong took with him three sons and grandsons who could carry a load on their shoulders. They broke up rocks and dug up mounds of earth which were transported to the edge of the Bo Sea in baskets. His neighbour, a widow by the name of Jingcheng, had a posthumous son who was just at the age of discarding his silk teeth. This vivacious boy jumped at the chance of giving them a hand. From winter through summer the workers only returned home once.
An old man called Zhisou who lived in Hequ, near a bend of the Yellow River, was amused and dissuaded Yugong.
"How can you be so foolish? With your advanced years and the little strength that you have left, you cannot even destroy a blade of grass on the mountain, not to speak of its earth and stone."
Yugong from north of the mountains heaved a long sigh. "You are so obstinate that you do not use your reason. Even the widow and her little son do better than you. Though I die, my son lives on. My son produces a grandson and in turn the grandson has a so?of his own. Sons follow sons and grandsons follow sons. My sons and grandsons go on and on without end but the mountains will not grow in size. Then why worry about not being able to flatten them?" Zhisou of Hequ was bereft of speech.
The god of the mountains who held a snake in his hand heard about this and was afraid that Yugong would not stop digging at the mountains. He reported the matter to the king of the gods who was moved by Yugong's sincerity. The king commanded the two sons of Kua'eshi, a god with great strength, to carry away the two mountains on their backs: one was put east of Shuozhou and the other south of Yongzhou. From that time onwards no mountain stood between the south of Jizhou and the southern bank of the Han River.
North of the mountains lived an old man called Yugong who was nearly ninety years old. Since his home faced the two mountains, he was troubled by the fact that they blocked the way of the inhabitants who had to take a roundabout route whenever they went out. He gathered his family together to discuss the matter.
"Let us do everything in our power to flatten these forbidding mountains so that there is a direct route to the south of Yuzhou reaching the southern bank of the Han River. What do you say?" Everyone applauded his suggestion.
His wife voiced her doubts. "You are not strong enough even to remove a small hillock like Kuifu. How can you tackle TaTxmg and Wangwu? And where would you dump the earth and rocks?"
"We can dump it into the edge of the Bo Sea and north of Yintu," said everyone.
Therefore Yugong took with him three sons and grandsons who could carry a load on their shoulders. They broke up rocks and dug up mounds of earth which were transported to the edge of the Bo Sea in baskets. His neighbour, a widow by the name of Jingcheng, had a posthumous son who was just at the age of discarding his silk teeth. This vivacious boy jumped at the chance of giving them a hand. From winter through summer the workers only returned home once.
An old man called Zhisou who lived in Hequ, near a bend of the Yellow River, was amused and dissuaded Yugong.
"How can you be so foolish? With your advanced years and the little strength that you have left, you cannot even destroy a blade of grass on the mountain, not to speak of its earth and stone."
Yugong from north of the mountains heaved a long sigh. "You are so obstinate that you do not use your reason. Even the widow and her little son do better than you. Though I die, my son lives on. My son produces a grandson and in turn the grandson has a so?of his own. Sons follow sons and grandsons follow sons. My sons and grandsons go on and on without end but the mountains will not grow in size. Then why worry about not being able to flatten them?" Zhisou of Hequ was bereft of speech.
The god of the mountains who held a snake in his hand heard about this and was afraid that Yugong would not stop digging at the mountains. He reported the matter to the king of the gods who was moved by Yugong's sincerity. The king commanded the two sons of Kua'eshi, a god with great strength, to carry away the two mountains on their backs: one was put east of Shuozhou and the other south of Yongzhou. From that time onwards no mountain stood between the south of Jizhou and the southern bank of the Han River.
The Sky is Falling
Once there was a man from Qi, who was worried about falling sky and sinking earch.
A friend, worried about his worrying, came to calm him.
He said to the man, "The sky is all air, nothing but air. As you inhale and exhale, and breathe air into the sky all day long, there is no need to worry about falling sky."
The man then asked, "So the sky is just air. Then what about the Sun, the Moon and the stars falling from the sky?"
He replied, "These are only twinkling objects of air. Even if they fall, they won't hurt you."
The man continued, "What about sinking earth?"
He replied, "The earch is made up of solid blocks of earth, which filled up all spaces. There are no empty spaces. If you stamp you feet on the ground all day, the earth will not sink."
Hearing this, the man is very happy. The friend is very happy.
A friend, worried about his worrying, came to calm him.
He said to the man, "The sky is all air, nothing but air. As you inhale and exhale, and breathe air into the sky all day long, there is no need to worry about falling sky."
The man then asked, "So the sky is just air. Then what about the Sun, the Moon and the stars falling from the sky?"
He replied, "These are only twinkling objects of air. Even if they fall, they won't hurt you."
The man continued, "What about sinking earth?"
He replied, "The earch is made up of solid blocks of earth, which filled up all spaces. There are no empty spaces. If you stamp you feet on the ground all day, the earth will not sink."
Hearing this, the man is very happy. The friend is very happy.
A Deer Hunter Misplaced the Deer
A woodsman from Zheng saw a deer in the field, shot and killed it. Afraid he would be caught, he hid the deer and covered it with banana leaves. He was pleased with himself.
Rightaway he forgot the hiding place, and thought that the whole episode was a dream! On his way home, he kept telling himself that it was only a dream. As he mumbled to himself about his dream, he was overheard by a passerby.
The passerby thought about what he had heard and figured out where the deer was hidden. He found the deer and took it home. He told his roommate, "The woodsman dreamt he killed the deer and forgot where he hid it. I now found the deer; so his dream must be true."
The roommate said,"Was there really a woodsman? Or did you dream the woodsman? Since you now have the deer, doesn't it mean that your dream is true?"
The man replied," I now have the deer. It doesn't matter whether his dream or my dream is true."
The woodman went home, and was depressed about his lost deer. That night he had a dream. He dreamt about the passerby who had heard of him talking to himself and then found the hidden deer. Next morning, following his dream, he found the passerby and the deer. So he took him to the Magistrate and sued for the recovery of the deer.
The Magistrate said,
"First the woodman killed the deer, but thought it was a dream. Then he dreamt that he killed the deer and believed it was real. He found the passerby with a real deer,so he sues for the deer.
The roommate said that the passerby got the deer from another man's dream; so the deer belongs to no one.
The deer is here and is real. Let it be divided equally between the two men."
The case was appealed to King Zheng, who jokingly remarked, "Jeez, next thing I will be told that the Magistrate had dreamt about dividing the deer." and sent the case to his Chief Adviser for an opinion.
The Adviser reported, "Sir, whether this case is about dreams or reality I cannot tell. Only Huang Di or Confucius can differentiate dreams and realities. Since they are both dead, I recommend that we leave the Magistrate's decision be."
Rightaway he forgot the hiding place, and thought that the whole episode was a dream! On his way home, he kept telling himself that it was only a dream. As he mumbled to himself about his dream, he was overheard by a passerby.
The passerby thought about what he had heard and figured out where the deer was hidden. He found the deer and took it home. He told his roommate, "The woodsman dreamt he killed the deer and forgot where he hid it. I now found the deer; so his dream must be true."
The roommate said,"Was there really a woodsman? Or did you dream the woodsman? Since you now have the deer, doesn't it mean that your dream is true?"
The man replied," I now have the deer. It doesn't matter whether his dream or my dream is true."
The woodman went home, and was depressed about his lost deer. That night he had a dream. He dreamt about the passerby who had heard of him talking to himself and then found the hidden deer. Next morning, following his dream, he found the passerby and the deer. So he took him to the Magistrate and sued for the recovery of the deer.
The Magistrate said,
"First the woodman killed the deer, but thought it was a dream. Then he dreamt that he killed the deer and believed it was real. He found the passerby with a real deer,so he sues for the deer.
The roommate said that the passerby got the deer from another man's dream; so the deer belongs to no one.
The deer is here and is real. Let it be divided equally between the two men."
The case was appealed to King Zheng, who jokingly remarked, "Jeez, next thing I will be told that the Magistrate had dreamt about dividing the deer." and sent the case to his Chief Adviser for an opinion.
The Adviser reported, "Sir, whether this case is about dreams or reality I cannot tell. Only Huang Di or Confucius can differentiate dreams and realities. Since they are both dead, I recommend that we leave the Magistrate's decision be."
A Man Who Loves Sea Gulls
A man who lived by the sea loved seagulls. Every morning at daybreak he would go to the seaside and play with the gulls. Hundreds of gulls would come to him and not fly away.
His father said, "I heard that seagulls like to play with you. Catch a few for me so that I can play with them too."
The next morning when he went to the seaside the seagulls swooped about in the skies but none came down to him.
One may try, but unable to, hide one's inner thoughts. Even birds and animals can sense one's true feelings.
His father said, "I heard that seagulls like to play with you. Catch a few for me so that I can play with them too."
The next morning when he went to the seaside the seagulls swooped about in the skies but none came down to him.
One may try, but unable to, hide one's inner thoughts. Even birds and animals can sense one's true feelings.
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