Dongguo Shunzi was a native of the state of Wei. He cultivated the Dao and guarded his inner truth. Tian Zifang studied under him as his master, and Tian also served as both a teacher and a friend to Marquis Wen of Wei. Once, while sitting in attendance with Marquis Wen, Tian Zifang frequently praised a man named Xigong.
Marquis Wen asked, “Is Xigong your teacher?” Tian Zifang replied, “No, he is a fellow villager of mine. Because his discourses on the Dao are often apt, I praise him.” Marquis Wen asked, “Then, do you have no teacher?” Tian Zifang replied, “I do.” Marquis Wen asked, “Who is your teacher?” Tian Zifang replied, “Dongguo Shunzi.” Marquis Wen asked, “If so, why have you never praised him?”
Tian Zifang replied, “In his character, he is a True Man. His outward appearance is dignified, yet his inner nature is empty and still. He follows the natural course of things while preserving his authenticity; he is pure and unadorned, yet accommodating to all. When he encounters things that lack the Dao, he simply corrects his own bearing to awaken them, causing the misguided intentions of others to naturally dissipate. How could I, Wu Ze, be worthy of praising such a man?”
After Tian Zifang departed, Marquis Wen sighed and said, “How far beyond reach! He is a gentleman of complete virtue. Initially, I believed that the words of sages and the conduct of benevolence and righteousness were the ultimate ideals. But now that I have heard of Zifang’s master, my body feels as though it is dissolving, and I have no desire to move; my mouth feels as though it is clamped shut, and I have no desire to speak. What I have learned is nothing but mere clay and dirt. Truly, the state of Wei has become a burden to me!”
Note
Dongguo Shunzi, a Daoist True Man, is Tian Zifang’s master. He transforms others quietly via inner purity rather than preaching. After hearing his merit, Marquis Wen of Wei deems his political learning trivial and sees his state as a heavy burden.
Dongguo Shunzi (东郭顺子):
A legendary Daoist sage and the teacher of Tian Zifang. He embodies the Daoist ideal of the “True Man” (真人). His method of teaching is entirely non-verbal; he influences others simply by maintaining his own inner purity and authentic presence, effortlessly transforming those around him without preaching.
Tian Zifang (田子方):
A prominent scholar and official of Wei, and a disciple of Zixia (a student of Confucius). In this passage, he serves as the bridge between Confucian political engagement and Daoist spiritual transcendence. His inability to adequately praise his master highlights the limitations of human language when describing true spiritual attainment.
The True Man (真人):
A foundational concept in Daoism representing a person who has achieved complete harmony with the Dao. Unlike the Confucian “Sage” who actively shapes society through rituals and rules, the True Man achieves transformation through wuwei (non-action) and inner authenticity.
Marquis Wen of Wei (魏文侯):
Marquis Wen of Wei was the founding monarch of the State of Wei during the Warring States period and the initiator of its century-long hegemony.
He respected men of talent and virtue, taking Confucian disciples such as Zixia and Tian Zifang as his teachers, thereby attracting scholars from across the realm to his court.
He appointed Li Kui(李悝) as chancellor, implemented political reforms, which made Wei a powerful state in the early Warring States period. He also appointed Ximen Bao to govern the Ye region, where canals were dug to turn floods into irrigation. He employed Yue Yang to conquer the State of Zhongshan, used Wu Qi as a general to seize the Hexi region from Qin, and mediated conflicts between Han and Zhao, uniting the three Jin states (Wei, Han, and Zhao) under Wei’s leadership.
Clay and Dirt:
Marquis Wen’s profound self-deprecation. After experiencing the sheer magnitude of Daoist spiritual perfection, he realizes that his previous Confucian education (sages, benevolence, righteousness) was merely artificial, lifeless constructs. This reflects the Daoist critique of artificial morality and social conditioning.
The State as a Burden:
A classic Daoist sentiment expressing the ultimate disillusionment with political power. For Marquis Wen, the realization of true virtue instantly renders his supreme political authority meaningless and burdensome, illustrating the Daoist belief that worldly achievements are trivial compared to spiritual awakening.
东郭顺子者，魏人也，修道守真。田子方师事之，而为魏文侯师友，侍坐於文侯，数称溪工。文侯曰：“溪工子之师耶？”子方曰：“非也，无择之里人也，称道数当，故无择称之。”文侯曰：“然则，子无师耶？”子方曰：“有。”文侯曰：“子师谁耶？”子方曰：“东郭顺子也。”文侯曰：“然则，夫子何故未尝称之？”子方曰：“其为人也真人，貌而天虚，缘而葆真，清而容物。物无道则正容以悟之，使人之意也消，无择何足以称之？”子方出，文侯曰：“远哉！全德之君子。始吾以圣智之言，仁义之行为至矣，吾闻子方之帅，吾形解而不欲动，口钳而不欲言。吾所学者，真土梗耳，夫魏真为我累耳。”
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