Instead of exerting yourself for the benefit of mankind. The speaker, says one commentator, was "a disciple."
"I used to live in a cave on the hills," replied Tzŭ Chi. "At that time, T'ien Ho,
The famous founder of the later House of Ch'i.
because he once saw me, was thrice congratulated by the people of Ch'i. Now I must have given some indication by which he recognised me.
As a Sage.
I must have sold for him to buy. For had I not manifested myself, how would he have recognised me? Had I not sold, how could he have bought?
"Alas! I grieve over man's self-destruction.
As reputation comes, reality goes.
And then I grieve over one who grieves for another. And then I grieve over him who grieves over one who grieves for another! And so I get daily farther and farther away."
And become like dry wood, my soul absorbed into Tao.