"Does he have any territory that he rules over?" asked the stranger, pursuing the inquiry.Go here to read the introductory post to the chapters of the Book of Chuang Tzu.
"No," said Tzu-kung. "Is he the counselor to some king or feudal lord?"
"No," said Tzu-kung.
The stranger then laughed and turned to go, saying as he walked away, "As far as benevolence goes, he is benevolent all right. But I'm afraid he will not escape unharmed. To weary the mind and wear out the body, putting the Truth in peril like this - alas, I'm afraid he is separated from the Great Way by a vast distance indeed!"
Tzu-kung returned and reported to Confucius what had happened. Confucius pushed aside his lute, rose to his feet and said, "Perhaps this man is a sage!" Then he started down the embankment after him, reaching the edge of the lake just as the fisherman was about to take up his punting pole and drag his boat into the water. Glancing back and catching sight of Confucius, he turned and stood facing him. Confucius hastily stepped back a few paces, bowed twice, and then came forward.
~ Burton Watson translation via Terebess Asia Online ~
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