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.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru