All things have constant inherent forms. One guides them by conforming to their nature and following their inherent patterns. Thus in stillness one establishes virtue; in motion one follows the Dao.
A man of Song carved a paper‑mulberry leaf from ivory for his lord, finishing it in three years. Its thickness, veins, twigs, fine texture and luster were so lifelike that it could not be distinguished among real mulberry leaves. The man received official salary in Song for this skill.
Liezi heard of it and said: “If heaven and earth took three years to grow one leaf, few plants would bear leaves.”
Therefore those who do not rely on the gifts of nature but depend solely on individual effort, who do not follow the principles of the Dao but study only one man’s cleverness, all act like this leaf‑carver.
Even Hou Ji, god of agriculture, could not make winter‑sown crops flourish; even servants Zang and Huo could not ruin abundant grain in a good year.
By individual effort alone, even Hou Ji falls short; by following nature, even servants have more than enough. Hence the saying: “Rely on the spontaneity of all things and dare not act arbitrarily.”
Note
This passage emphasizes that human wisdom and effort are limited; following natural trends and universal principles brings greater efficiency and success than forced artificial manipulation.
Late Warring‑States Legalist philosopher. This passage is from Illustrating Laozi (Yu Lao), his commentary on the Dao De Jing. He transforms Daoist non‑action into practical governance of following natural laws.
Famous Daoist philosopher who critiques artificial over‑refinement.
Hou Ji
Legendary ancient god of agriculture, symbolizing supreme farming skill.
Zang and Huo
Generic ancient terms for low‑rank servants, representing ordinary people.
Ivory‑Mulberry‑Leaf Fable
Classic Chinese parable criticizing futile, overly refined human craft that wastes energy compared to natural growth.
Nature‑over‑Individual‑Effort Principle
True achievement comes from conforming to natural timing and universal laws rather than personal cleverness.
Legalist Inaction (Wu‑Wei)
Not passive idleness, but avoiding arbitrary human interference and following objective rules in state administration.
夫物有常容，因乘以導之，因隨物之容。故靜則建乎德，動則順乎道。宋人有為其君以象為楮葉者，三年而成。豐殺莖柯，毫芒繁澤，亂之楮葉之中而不可別也。此人遂以功食祿於宋邦。列子聞之曰：「使天地三年而成一葉，則物之有葉者寡矣。」故不乘天地之資，而載一人之身；不隨道理之數，而學一人之智；此皆一葉之行也。故冬耕之稼，后稷不能羨也；豐年大禾，臧獲不能惡也。以一人力，則后稷不足；隨自然，則臧獲有餘。故曰：「恃萬物之自然而不敢為也。」
Leave a Reply