| | The ancients had limited vision when it came to seeing themselves, so they used mirrors to view their faces; their wisdom was limited in understanding themselves, so they followed the Way to correct themselves. If one's eyes lose the mirror, there is no way to straighten one's eyebrows and beard; if a person loses the Way, there is no means to dispel confusion. Xi Men Bao had an impetuous nature, so he wore leather cords to temper himself; Dong Eyu had a sluggish heart, so he wore strings to discipline himself. Therefore, a wise ruler compensates for deficiencies with abundance and extends what is short by using what is long. There are three kinds of trust in the world. The first is: wisdom has things it cannot accomplish. Second, strength has limits beyond which it cannot reach. Third, strength has things it cannot overcome. Therefore, even with the wisdom of Yao, without assistance from others, great achievements cannot be accomplished; possessing the might of Wu Huo, yet without help from people, one cannot lift oneself up; having the power of Bin Yu but lacking methods and laws, one cannot attain longevity. Thus, there are situations that cannot be attained, and matters that cannot succeed. Hence, Wu Huo could easily carry a thousand jin (a unit of weight) but found his own body heavy—not because his body was heavier than a thousand jin. It is due to the unsuitability of circumstances. Lilou found it easy to see a hundred paces away but difficult to discern his eyebrows and eyelashes—not because a hundred paces were closer than his own face. It is not possible without the Way. Therefore, a wise ruler does not exhaust Wu Huo for his inability to lift himself up, nor trouble Lilou for his inability to see himself. By taking advantage of favorable circumstances and seeking an easy path, the ruler achieves great accomplishments with minimal effort.
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