A man in the state of Zheng decided to buy some new shoes. He measured his feet but left the measure on his seat, and forgot to take it to the market. There he found some nice shoes.
”What! I forgot to bring the measurement!” he cried.
He hurried home to fetch it.
By the time he got back to the market, the fair was over; so he failed to buy his shoes.
”Why didn’t you try the shoes on?” asked one of his neighbours.
“I trust the ruler more,” was his reply.
Allegorical Meaning
A man measures his feet to buy shoes but forgets to bring the measurements to the market. He refuses to use his actual feet for fitting, insisting only the written numbers are valid.
Dogma vs. Practicality:
Critiques blind adherence to formalism over common sense. The man’s obsession with his foot measurement—while ignoring his actual foot—epitomizes humanity’s tendency to prioritize abstractions (rules, data, traditions) over tangible reality, just like mistaking the map for the territory.
Adaptability:
Highlights the folly of ignoring real-world solutions for theoretical rules. The man distrusts his own judgment, surrendering to external “authority” .
Human Nature:
Mirrors modern bureaucratic inefficiencies where process eclipses purpose.
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