Chinese Fables
Selected and Retold by Mary W. Ng
The Robbers
From Lie Zi
Once there were many robbers in the State of Jin. There was also a man named Xi Yong who could identify robbers.
Xi Yong only had to fix his eyes on a person momentarily and he knew whether that person was a robber or not. For this reason, the Prince appointed Xi Yong alone to identify robbers. Since his appointment, Xi Yong had not failed once.
The Prince was very pleased. “I can rely on one person to stamp out the robbers in the state,” he told Zhao Wenzi confidently. “I don’t really need that many people at all.”
Zhao Wenzi disagreed with the Prince. “If you rely solely on the eyes of one person to catch robbers, robbers will not disappear,” said Zhao Wenzi, “but I am afraid Xi Yong might die a violent death.”
Indeed the robbers in the state soon banded together and conferred with each other. “Xi Yong is our number one enemy. We must get rid of him,” they said. Shortly afterwards they set a trap for Xi Yong and had him killed.
When the Prince heard the dreadful news, he was shocked. He summoned Zhao Wenzi to his presence. “Just as you predicted,” said the Prince worriedly, “Xi Yong was murdered by robbers. What must I do now to stamp out robbers?”
Zhao Wenzi gave the Prince a reassuring smile. “There is a famous saying from the Zhou dynasty: `Those who can spot a fish in the abyss are considered unlucky. Those who can uncover others’ secrets will bring harm on themselves.’
“If you really want to stamp out robbers, you must appoint virtuous men to positions of power. Practising what they preach, they act as a model for other officials, who in turn act as a model for the people. Once the people have a sense of shame, they will not rob or steal.”
The Prince listened to Zhao Wenzi’s advice and appointed virtuous men to positions of power. Before long the robbers had fled in droves to the neighbouring states.
Without a sense of shame, people lie, cheat, steal, act dishonourably or do shameful things without a second thought. Those in positions of power or influence should set a good example for others.