When King Zhou of Shang began to use ivory chopsticks, Ji Zi grew alarmed. He reasoned that one who uses ivory chopsticks would no longer eat from earthenware bowls, but would demand cups made of rhinoceros horn and jade. With jade cups and ivory chopsticks, coarse beans and wild herbs would no longer suffice; instead, delicacies such as young yak, elephant and leopard meat would be sought.
After indulging in such fine food, he would not wear rough linen clothes or dwell in thatched huts, but would don layered silk robes and live in tall palaces and spacious halls. If desires keep growing in this way, all treasures under heaven will never be enough.
A wise man perceives trends from tiny signs and foresees outcomes from the very beginning. That is why Ji Zi felt anxious at the sight of ivory chopsticks, knowing that endless greed would drain the whole realm.
Note
Desires expand step by step. Tiny acts of indulgence may evolve into unrestrained luxury. We should guard against bad tendencies from the very beginning and stay alert to potential dangers.
Late Warring States Legalist philosopher. This text is excerpted from Han Feizi, Chapter: The Forest of Persuasions (Part I). He elaborates the idea of judging the whole from small details. Han Fei also makes a similar argument in another chapter.
King Zhou of Shang
The last ruler of the Shang Dynasty. He was notorious for extravagance, cruelty and indulgence, which led to the fall of the dynasty.
Ji Zi (Jizi)
A virtuous noble and wise minister of Shang. Together with Weizi, Weizhong, Prince Bigan (Bi Gan), and Jiao Ge, all virtuous men, who helped King Zhou with the government. According to Mencius that is why King Zhou reigned over the world so long before his ruin.
Here Jizi was farsighted and good at observing hidden dangers.
Ivory chopsticks & luxury wares
Ivory, jade and rhino horn were rare and costly luxuries in ancient times. Using such items symbolized excessive extravagance.
Chain of growing desires
Human desires are progressive. Minor indulgence will gradually expand into extreme luxury and dissipation.
See the sprout from the subtle, know the end from the start
A profound ancient wisdom: observe small clues to predict major developments and hidden risks. It echoes the saying: “Perceiving the minute is called discernment.”
Warning against extravagance
Ancient political philosophy held that royal extravagance would exhaust national resources and bring about national ruin.
紂為象箸而箕子怖，以為象箸必不盛羹於土簋，則必犀玉之杯，玉杯象箸必不盛菽藿，則必旄象豹胎，旄象豹胎必不衣短褐，而舍茅茨之下，則必錦衣九重，高臺廣室也。稱此以求，則天下不足矣。聖人見微以知萌，見端以知末，故見象箸而怖，知天下不足也。
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