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Confucius and "fleas"

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Confucius and "fleas"
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Tzu-Yu introduced the great Chinese thinker Confucius to the Song minister. When Confucius left, Tzu-Yu went to the minister to find out his opinion about the guest.

“After I saw Confucius,” said the minister, “you already seem tiny to me, like a louse or a flea.” I will present him to the sovereign today.

And then Tzu-Yu, fearing that the sovereign would elevate Confucius too much, said to the minister:

“When the sovereign sees Confucius, you too will seem like a louse or a flea to him!”

And the minister abandoned his intention.

Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru

Peasant and thief