This original‑text excerpt from Zhuangzi ‑ Renjianshi features multiple fables. It explores perilous worldly‑political engagement, introduces “Mind‑Fasting”, and illustrates survival wisdom of “the usefulness of uselessness”.
The Master said, “How upright was Shi Yu! When the state was well governed, he was as straight as an arrow; when the state was poorly governed, he was still as straight as an arrow.What a noble person was Qu Boyu! When the state was well governed, he served in office; when the state…
Qu Boyu sent an envoy to Confucius. Confucius invited him to sit and asked, “What is your master doing these days?”The envoy replied, “My master wishes to reduce his faults, but feels he has not yet succeeded.”After the envoy left, Confucius exclaimed, “What an excellent envoy! What an excellent envoy!”