SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

Bo Yi

  • Chapter 17: Autumn Floods (Qiu Shui)

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    This Zhuangzi ‑ Qiushui (Autumn Floods) excerpt uses He Bo and Sea God’s dialogue to teach relativism of size and values. It includes well‑known parables like the well‑frog and the fish‑joy debate, urging humility and natural spontaneity.

  • Why Forced Goodness Can Wreck Your Life

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    This commentary on Zhuangzi ‑ Pianmu critiques forced performative morality. Using metaphors like duck‑crane legs and lost‑sheep parable, it warns against sacrificing one’s true nature for external social or moral standards.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 25.2

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    This Han Feizi chapter argues legal order precedes virtue. Using metaphors like Bian Que’s surgery, it urges rulers to accept harsh but truthful advice and avoid making impossible demands on exhausted common people.

  • Mencius – Chapter 13.22

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    Mencius praises King Wen’s benevolent governance centered on supporting elders. Fair land policies, sericulture and livestock farming secure seniors’ silk and meat. Wise rulers caring for the aged draw virtuous men to their realms.

  • Mencius – Chapter 12.6

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    Debater Chunyu Kun questions Mencius’ resignation for lacking visible achievements. Mencius argues virtuous men pursue benevolence in diverse ways, stresses worthy officials secure state survival, and notes gentlemen’s subtle moral choices elude common utilitarian judgment.

  • Mencius – Chapter 10.1

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    Mencius portrays three archetypal sages: pure Bo Yi, mission-driven Yi Yin, and accommodating Liu Xia Hui. He regards Confucius as the timely sage who balances all virtues, a fully accomplished sage uniting wisdom and moral strength with musical and archery metaphors.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 14.5

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    Han Feizi rejects Confucian benevolence. Strict laws and merit-based rewards secure order; empty loyalty and virtue are useless.

  • Preface to Biographies of High-Minded Scholars

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    Confucius said, “When the hidden virtuous are elevated, the hearts of all people under heaven turn to them.” Mr. Hongya established lofty principles in the age of the Sovereigns of High Antiquity; Xu You and Shan Juan did not lower their integrity during the reigns of Tang and Yu. Therefore, the I Ching contains…

  • Mencius – Chapter 7.13 King Wen’s secret to winning the world

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    Mencius said: “Bo Yi fled from the tyrant King Zhou and lived by the shores of the North Sea.Taigong (Jiang Ziya) also fled from Zhou and lived by the shores of the East Sea.”