King Zhou of Shang held endless all-night drinking feasts and lost track of the date. He asked his attendants, but none could tell. He then sent men to inquire of Ji Zi.
Ji Zi said to his followers: “The sovereign and his whole realm have lost count of days the kingdom is in peril. If everyone else is ignorant while I alone know the truth, I shall be in great danger too.” He declined to answer, claiming he was drunk and knew nothing.
Note
A ruler’s indulgence will bring chaos to the whole nation. In turbulent times, wise people often choose to hide their wisdom to avoid disaster.
Late Warring States Legalist thinker, using the story to comment on state governance and self-preservation. This text is excerpted from Han Feizi, Chapter: The Forest of Persuasions (Part I).
King Zhou of Shang
The last king of Shang, infamous for debauchery and misrule that led to the dynasty’s collapse.
Ji Zi (Jizi)
A loyal and far-sighted minister of Shang. He once predicted Zhou’s ruin because King Zhou of Shang made ivory chopsticks. Here he saw the coming crisis and chose to stay inconspicuous.
Royal attendants
Servants around the king, who also indulged in dissipation and lost sense of time.
All-night revelry
Excessive drinking and entertainment by the monarch meant neglecting state affairs, regarded as a serious sign of national decline in ancient times.
Loss of calendar time
Keeping track of dates was essential for farming, rituals and governance. Universal confusion about the date reflected total disorder.
Wisdom of keeping silent
In a corrupt and dangerous court, revealing unique insight could invite persecution. Pretending ignorance was a common way for wise officials to survive.
紂為長夜之飲，懼以失日，問其左右盡不知也，乃使人問箕子，箕子謂其徒曰：「為天下主而一國皆失日，天下其危矣。一國皆不知而我獨知之，吾其危矣。」辭以醉而不知。
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