"Is he a ruler of a State?" asked the old man.
"He is not," said Tzŭ Kung.
"A minister?" said the old man.
"No," said Tzŭ Kung.
Then the old man laughed and walked away, saying, "Charity is charity, yet I fear he will not escape the wear of mind and tear of body which imperil the original purity of man. How far, alas, has he wandered from the true path!"
From Tao.
Tzŭ Kung went back and told Confucius, who, laying aside his lute, arose and said, "This man is a Sage!"
Thereupon he followed the old man down the shore, catching him up just as he was drawing in his boat with his staff. Perceiving Confucius, the old man turned round to receive him, at which Confucius stepped back and prostrated himself twice before advancing.
"What do you want, Sir?" asked the fisherman.
"Just now, venerable Sir," replied Confucius, "you left without finishing your remarks. In my stupidity I cannot make out what you mean. Therefore I have come in the humble hope of hearing any words with which you may deign to help me."