Chuang Tzu: Mystic, Moralist, and Social Reformer

He wrote The Old Fisherman, Robber Zhe, and Opening Trunks with the intention of discrediting original: "asperse" the Confucian school and glorifying the mysteries of Lao Tzu.1 Titles such as Wei Lei Xu and Geng Sang Tzu are probably just imaginary creations.2 Nevertheless, his literary and debating skill was so great that even the best scholars of the time could not disprove his devastating criticisms of the Confucian and Mohist original: "Mihist"; referring to the followers of the philosopher Mo Ti schools.3

His teachings were like an overwhelming flood that spreads wherever it pleases. As a result, no one—from rulers down to their ministers—could find a way to apply them to any specific, practical use.4

Prince Wei of the Chu State, hearing of Chuang Tzu's great reputation, sent messengers to him with expensive gifts and an invitation to become Prime Minister. At this, Chuang Tzu smiled and said to the messengers, "You offer me great wealth and a high position indeed; but have you never seen a sacrificial ox? After being fattened up for several years, it is dressed in embroidered fabrics original: "trappings" and led to the altar. At that moment, wouldn't it gladly trade places with a lonely young pig? . . . . . . Go away! Do not stain me! I would rather enjoy myself for my own pleasure in the

1 See chapters 31, 29, and 10, respectively.
2 The second of these people is undoubtedly the same person as Geng Sang Chu in chapter 23, even though the name is written differently. The identity of the first name has not been clearly decided.
3 See page 17.
4 This last sentence is based on a famous passage in the Analects original: "Lun Yü": The perfect man is not a mere tool The original Chinese "qi" (vessel/instrument) implies someone who is only useful for one specific thing; meaning his functions are not limited. The idea is that Chuang Tzu's philosophy was too vast and all-encompassing to be practical for governance.