One day Confucius wanted to see Lao Tzu, he went to him, anticipating a thoughtful conversation about higher values. Confucius was much older than Lao Tzu and, of course, expected that he would behave towards him with due respect.
And so Confucius entered the room where Lao Tzu was silent. But he didn’t even move, didn’t stand up to meet the famous sage and, in general, it would seem, didn’t pay much attention to him. Lao Tzu didn't even invite Confucius to sit down!
Of course, the distinguished guest was very annoyed by this reception. He asked indignantly:
- Don’t you recognize the rules of good manners? Lao Tzu replied:
- If you want to sit down, sit down, if you want to stand, stand. I have no right to indicate
you on what to do. I don't interfere in other people's lives. You are a free man, but I am a free man too.
Confucius was shocked. He tried to start a conversation about the “high” in man, but Lao Tzu just laughed and said:
“I have never seen anything “higher” or “lower.” Man is man, just as trees are trees. Everyone participates in the same existence. There is no one who is higher or lower. This is all nonsense!
Then Confucius asked:
— What happens to a person after death? Lao Tzu replied:
- You live, but can you say what life is?
Confucius was confused. Lao Tzu said:
“You don’t know this life and instead of knowing it, you worry about the beyond.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru