The Old Man with the Hoe was a man of unknown origin. Zigong, while traveling with Confucius, fell behind and asked the old man, “Have you seen my master?”
The old man replied, “You do not labor with your four limbs, nor can you distinguish the five grains. Who, then, is your master?” With that, he planted his walking stick in the ground and began to weed his field. Zigong stood respectfully, hands folded, in silence.
The old man invited Zigong to stay the night, prepared a meal of chicken and millet for him, and introduced his two sons to him. The next day, Zigong caught up with the group and reported the encounter to Confucius. Confucius said, “He is a hidden sage.” He then sent Zigong back to visit him, but by the time Zigong arrived, the old man had already left.
Note
A Daoist hermit with a hoe reproaches Zigong for lacking farming skills. Though warm and hospitable, he shuns political pursuits. Confucius deems him a hidden sage, yet the hermit vanishes to avoid further contact with Confucian followers.
The Old Man with the Hoe (荷篠丈人):
Another anonymous Daoist hermit in the Biographies of Noble Recluses. His name literally means “the elderly man carrying a bamboo hoe,” reflecting his complete integration into agricultural labor. He represents the ultimate Daoist rejection of intellectualism and political ambition, valuing physical work and self-sufficiency over scholarly pursuits.
“Four Limbs Not Laboring, Five Grains Not Distinguished” (四体不勤，五谷不分):
This phrase has become a famous Chinese idiom used to criticize scholars or intellectuals who are detached from practical reality, manual labor, and basic agricultural knowledge. Here, it serves as a sharp Daoist critique of the Confucian elite, suggesting that their pursuit of moral and political ideals makes them useless in the face of basic survival.
Hospitality and Family Values:
Despite his harsh words, the old man’s actions – offering shelter, preparing a meal (chicken and millet), and introducing his sons – show that he is not a misanthrope, but a man who values natural human bonds and rural hospitality over state politics. This highlights the Daoist preference for private, familial ethics over public, political duties.
Confucius’ Recognition and the Hermit’s Disappearance:
Confucius immediately recognizes the old man as a “hidden sage”, showing deep respect for his spiritual purity. However, the old man’s deliberate departure before Zigong’s return is a final, silent statement: he has no desire to be associated with the Confucian political project or to become a disciple. He remains entirely free.
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