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Daoism -> Zhuangzi -> Outer Chapters -> Tian Zi-fang -> 2.1

Wen-bo Xue-zi, on his way to Qi,
stayed some time in Lu,
where some persons of the state begged to have an interview with him.
:「He refused them, saying,
君子'I have heard that the superior men of these Middle States
understand the (subjects of) ceremony and righteousness, but are deplorably ignorant of the minds of men.
。」 I do not wish to see them.'
He went on to Qi;
and on his way back (to the south), he again stayed in Lu,
when the same persons begged as before for an interview.
He then said,
'Formerly they asked to see me,
and now again they seek an interview.
。」 They will afford me some opportunity of bringing out my sentiments.'
He went out accordingly and saw the visitors,
and came in again with a sigh.
The next day again he saw the visitors,
and again came in again with a sigh.
His servant said to him,
'Whenever you see those visitors,
you are sure to come in again sighing
?」- Why is this?'
:「'I told you before,' was the reply,
'that the people of these Middle States
。』understand (the subjects of) ceremony and righteousness, but are deplorably ignorant of the minds of men.
Those men who have just seen me,
退as they came in and went out would describe, one a circle
and another a square,
and in their easy carriage would be like, one a dragon
and another a tiger.
They remonstrated with me as sons (with their fathers),
and laid down the way for me as fathers (for their sons).
。」 It was this which made me sigh.'


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