A man from Lu was skilled at weaving straw sandals, and his wife was good at making white silk fabric. They planned to move to the State of Yue. Someone warned him: “You will surely end up in poverty.”
The man asked why. The man replied: “Straw sandals are for wearing on feet, yet people in Yue always go barefoot. White silk is used to make hats, but the people of Yue wear their hair loose and never wear hats. Taking your strengths to a place where they are useless, how can you avoid hardship?”
Note
This text is excerpted from Han Feizi, Chapter: The Forest of Persuasions (Part I).
This story tells us that one should make plans based on actual conditions and local customs. No matter how excellent your skills are, they will be useless in an environment that has no need for them.
Late Warring States Legalist philosopher. He uses this fable to illustrate the importance of adapting to reality.
Man from Lu
A craftsman with fine skills, who intended to relocate without considering local customs.
People of Lu & Yue
Residents of two ancient vassal states. Lu people wore shoes and hats, while Yue people kept bare feet and loose hair, forming distinct customs.
Traditional crafts
Weaving straw sandals and silk were common livelihood skills for ordinary people in ancient times.
Regional customs
Different states had unique living habits and dressing styles, which deeply affected people’s production and life.
Adapt to local conditions
A core practical philosophy: talents and techniques can only create value when matching local demands. Blind relocation or copycat behavior will lead to failure.
魯人身善織屨，妻善織縞，而欲徒於越，或謂之曰：「子必窮矣。」魯人曰：「何也？」曰：「屨為履之也，而越人跣行；縞為冠之也，而越人被髮。以子之所長，游於不用之國，欲使無窮，其可得乎？」
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