This Zhuangzi ‑ Zaiyou excerpt advocates wu‑wei: let beings abide by their innate nature instead of meddling. Via tales of Guang Chengzi and Hong Meng, it warns against disturbing human hearts with man‑made moral systems.
This commentary on Zhuangzi ‑ Quqie explains its radical critique: safeguards and sage‑made moral systems get hijacked by powerful usurpers. It advocates returning to ancient plain‑simplicity instead of over‑reliance on man‑made institutions.
The grandsons of Cai Jing, the notorious prime minister, who grew up in riches, could not tell wheat from rice.
My words are very easy to understand, very easy to practice.Yet no one under heaven can understand them or put them into practice. Words have their root; actions have their master.It is precisely because people lack understanding that they do not know me. Those who understand me are few;those who follow me are precious.…