The Man with the Straw Basket was a native of the state of Wei. To escape the chaotic times, he refused to take office and concealed his true name.
While Confucius was playing theqing (a stone chime) in Wei, the man walked past Confucius’ door carrying a straw basket. Hearing the music, he remarked, “There is a heavy heart behind this playing of the chime!” A moment later, he added, “How obstinate and sorrowful the qing sounds! He is lamenting that no one understands him. If no one knows him, then let it be; he should simply be content with himself. As the Book of Poetry says: ‘If the water is deep, wade through with your clothes on; if the water is shallow, lift your hem and cross.’”
Upon hearing this, Confucius said, “How resolute he is! It is indeed difficult to argue against such a person.”
Note
An anonymous Wei hermit carrying a straw basket hears Confucius playing stone chimes, (Qing, an ancient Chinese percussion instrument made of jade or stone). He detects Confucius’ worldly frustration and advises flexible withdrawal via a poetic metaphor. Confucius acknowledges the resolute Daoist wisdom of going with natural tides.
The Man with the Straw Basket (荷蒉者):
An anonymous Daoist hermit in the state of Wei. Like many figures in the Biographies of Noble Recluses, he represents the voice of Daoist detachment. His anonymity emphasizes that true wisdom does not require a historical name or official title, but rather an alignment with the natural flow of the world.
Music as a Reflection of the Heart:
In ancient Chinese culture, music was not merely entertainment; it was deeply tied to a person’s inner moral and emotional state. Confucius’ qing(磬, an ancient music instrument) playing unintentionally revealed his lingering attachment to saving a corrupt world. The hermit’s ability to “read” this emotion through the music highlights the profound spiritual connection between art and the Dao.
“Deep then Wade, Shallow then Lift”:
This is a direct quotation from the Book of Poetry. Originally describing how to cross a river, it became a famous philosophical metaphor for adaptability. The hermit uses it to advise Confucius to stop stubbornly pushing against the current of a corrupt era. If the world is “deep” (hopeless), one should simply accept it and move on; if it is “shallow,” one can navigate it carefully. This reflects the Daoist principle of wuwei and flexibility.
Confucius’ Response:
Confucius’ reaction shows great humility and mutual respect between the two traditions. While Confucianism advocates for active engagement and moral perseverance even in dark times, Confucius acknowledges the hermit’s resolute logic. He admits that from a purely naturalistic and detached perspective, the hermit’s reasoning is unassailable, even if Confucius himself chooses a different, more burdensome path.
荷蒉者，卫人也。避乱不仕，自匿姓名。孔子击磬於卫，乃荷蒉而过孔氏之门，曰：“有心哉击磬乎？”既而曰：“硁硁乎莫己知也，斯己而已矣。深则厉，浅则揭。”孔子闻之，曰：“果哉，末之难矣。”
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