the empire. And one's body is worth more than one's arms, while the State of Han is infinitely less important than the empire. Further, what you are struggling over is of infinitely less importance than the State of Han. Yet your Highness is wearing out body and soul alike in fear and anxiety lest you should not get it."
"Good indeed!" cried the prince. "Many have counselled me, but I have never heard the like of this."
From which we may infer that Tzŭ Hua Tzŭ knew the difference between what was of importance and what was not.
The prince of Lu, hearing that Yen Ho had attained to Tao, despatched messengers with presents to open communications.
Yen Ho lived in a hovel. He wore clothes of coarse grass, and occupied himself in tending oxen.
When the messengers arrived. Yen Ho went out to meet them; whereupon they enquired, "Is this where Yen Ho lives?"
"This is Yen Ho's house," replied the latter.
The messengers then produced the presents; but Yen Ho said, "I fear you have made a mistake. And as you might get into trouble, it would be as well to go back and make sure."
This the messengers accordingly did. When however they returned, there was no trace to be found of Yen Ho. Thus it is that men like Yen Ho hate wealth and power.
