Once upon a time, King Yao, conceding the Celestial World to the hermit Xu Yu, said: “If the sun and moon shine in the sky, can the fire of a torch compare with their radiance?” And isn’t it a waste of time to water the seedlings when it rains? Take my place, dear one, and peace will reign in the Celestial Empire. I, as I see myself, am not fit to be a sovereign. So deign to take possession of this world from me.
To this Xu Yu replied:
“Under your rule, the Celestial Empire is prospering, why should I change you on the throne?” For the sake of a big name? But the name before the essence of things is like a guest before the host. So should I really take the guest's place? A bird building a nest in the forest is content with one branch. A field mouse that comes to a river to drink will drink exactly as much water as its belly can hold. Return, dear one, to where you came from, and be at peace. But I don’t need the Celestial World. And then: even if the cook has no order in the kitchen, the owner of the house and the master of ceremonies will not stand at the kitchen table in his place.