| | Nowadays, the people indulge in luxurious clothing and extravagant food, engage in verbal disputes, become accustomed to deceit and flattery, and deceive one another; this is what happens side by side. Some take plotting and corruption as their occupation, while others regard idling about and gambling as their affairs; some able-bodied men never pass on the plow and hoe, instead carrying bullets and slingshots, walking hand in hand as they wander about. Some take fine soil to make bullets and sell them; these bullets are useless for repelling enemies outside, and insufficient even for keeping rats away inside. Duke Ling of Jin liked such things, thereby increasing his vices—never have I heard of men of virtue and righteousness enjoying carrying them around. Only those without ambition, idle young men, pick them up and hold them, aimlessly shooting at crows and sparrows, missing a hundred times out of a hundred shots, yet often hitting their own faces. This is the most useless and harmful activity. Some sit making bamboo flutes, sharpening their tips to resemble weapons; they coat them with wax and honey, resembling sweet-tongued temptations. These are all not auspicious or virtuous omens. Some make clay carts, pottery dogs, horse riders, and singing figures—various toys for amusing children through cunning deception.
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