Le Tzu headed to Qi, but returned halfway and met Uncle Darkening Eye.
- Why did you come back? - asked the Darkening Eye.
- I was scared!
- Why were you afraid?
“I ate in ten taverns, and in five they served me before everyone else.”
- So be it. But why should you be afraid?
“The purity inside has not yet been freed, but it seeps out of the body in the form of a ray. To influence the hearts of people externally so that they neglect the respected and old is to prepare for disaster. After all, the owner of the tavern has no extra income; he only sells porridge and stew. If someone who has meager profits and insignificant power does this, what will the ruler of the darkness of chariots do, who devotes all his strength to the state and all his knowledge to governance? That’s why I was afraid that that king would want to entrust affairs to me and would expect merit from me.
- Excellent observation! - exclaimed the Darkening Eye. “But if you stay at home, people will look to you for protection.”
Soon the Darkening Eye came to Le Tzu and saw a lot of shoes at the door. Turning his face to the north, the Darkening Eye rested his chin on his staff, frowned and, after standing for a while, silently left. The person receiving the guests reported this to Le-tzu. He, barefoot, with shoes in his hands, ran after the Darkening Eye and, catching up at the gate, asked:
- Since you, the First Born, have come, will you give me advice?
- It's over! I warned you that people would seek your protection. This is true! Able to attract others to flock to you, you have proven unable to prevent others from seeking protection. What is this for?
As soon as the result diverges from the foresight, disappointment will certainly result. It is meaningless and will shake you. None of your followers will tell you this. All their petty chatter is poison for a person. Without awakening, without consciousness, will they help each other to mature?
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru