The Gatekeeper of Shimen was a native of the state of Lu. Like many others, he withdrew from the chaotic world and refused to take office, concealing his true name. He served as the gatekeeper of Shimen (the outer city gate of Lu), responsible for opening and closing the gates at dawn and dusk.
One night, Zigong, traveling with Confucius, lodged at Shimen. The gatekeeper asked Zigong, “Where do you come from?”
Zigong replied, “I come from Master Kong.”
The gatekeeper then remarked mockingly, “Is he not the one who knows it is impossible, yet persists in doing it?” People of that time considered the gatekeeper to be a worthy man.
Note
A reclusive Lu gatekeeper mocks Confucius via Zigong, calling him one who knows reform is hopeless yet still strives. The line reveals the core divide: Daoist detachment versus Confucian persistent moral devotion, and the guard was admired for his sharp insight.
The Gatekeeper of Shimen:
Another anonymous Daoist hermit hiding in plain sight as a lowly city guard. His position at the city gate symbolizes his role as a threshold figure, observing the comings and goings of the world while remaining detached from its political turmoil.
“Knowing It Is Impossible, Yet Persisting” (知其不可而为之):
This is one of the most famous and defining phrases in Chinese cultural history. While intended here as a Daoist critique of Confucius’ futile political ambitions, it was ultimately embraced as the ultimate expression of Confucian moral courage. It represents the tragic, heroic determination to uphold righteousness and fulfill one’s duty to humanity, even when success is out of reach.
The Philosophical Clash:
Like the previous encounters with Changju, Jieni, and the Man with the Straw Basket, this brief exchange highlights the fundamental divergence between Daoism and Confucianism. The Daoists advocate for self-preservation and following nature, viewing Confucius’ relentless activism as a delusion. Confucius, conversely, views moral action as an end in itself, regardless of the outcome.
“People Considered Him Worthy” (时人贤焉):
The author’s closing remark reflects the perspective of the Biographies of Noble Recluses. Even though the gatekeeper’s words were a sharp critique of Confucius, his profound insight, independence, and refusal to compromise his principles earned him the respect of his contemporaries, cementing his status as a “Noble Recluse.”
石门守者，鲁人也。亦避世不仕，自隐姓名，为鲁守石门，主晨夜开闭。子路从孔子，石门而宿。问子路曰：“奚自？”子路曰：“自孔氏。”遂讥孔子曰：“是知其不可为而为之者与？”时人贤焉。
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