| | In the past, Mi Zixia was favored by the ruler of Wei. The law of the state of Wei stipulated that anyone who stole and drove the king's chariot would be punished with amputation of feet. When Mi Zixia's mother fell ill, someone came at night to inform him, so he forged an order to drive the king's chariot back home. The ruler said: "How filial!" Because of his mother, he committed a crime punishable by amputation. On another day, when he was touring the orchard with the ruler and ate a peach that tasted sweet, not finishing it, he gave half to the ruler. The ruler said: "How much he loves me!" He forgot his own taste and gave it to me. When Mi Zixia's beauty faded and the ruler's affection waned, he incurred the ruler's displeasure. The ruler said: "This is why he once forged an order to drive my chariot, and also gave me the remaining half of a peach. Therefore, Mi Zixia's actions have not changed from what they were at first." The reason why he was previously considered virtuous but later incurred punishment is due to the ruler's changing feelings of love and hatred. Therefore, when a person is loved by the ruler, his wisdom seems appropriate and he becomes even closer; but when disliked by the ruler, even if his wisdom is sound, it appears inappropriate and he grows more distant.
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