When Confucius went to Ch'u, the prince entertained him at a banquet. Sun Shu Ao stood up with a goblet of wine in his hand, and I Liao of Shih-nan poured a libation, saying, "On such occasions as this, the men of old were wont to make some utterance."
"Mine," replied Confucius, "is the doctrine of wordless utterances. Shall I who make no utterances, make utterance now?
"I Liao of Shih-nan played with his ball, and the trouble of two houses was arranged.
A man of great strength who refused to aid in settling a State quarrel. He was a great ball player,—whatever that may have been.
Sun Shu Ao remained quietly in repose, and the men of Ying threw down their arms.
No one dared attack them, so powerful was the prestige of their minister.
I should want a three-foot tongue indeed!
To achieve more by talk than these two achieved by inaction.