庄子/人间世

To "make a name' is to clash with others, knowledge' is a tool in competition.

Both of them are sinister tools, of no use in perfecting conduct.

Then again, to be ample in Power and solid in sincerity but lack insight into others' temperaments, not enter into competition for reputation but lack insight into others' hearts, yet insist in the presence of the tyrant on preaching about Goodwill and Duty and the lines laid down for us, this amounts to taking advantage of someone's ugliness to make yourself look handsome.

The name for it is "making a pest of oneself'.

Make a pest of oneself, and others will certainly make pests of themselves in return.

I rather fancy that someone is going to be a pest to you.

Another thing: if you do think he favours clever people and dislikes fools, will it do you any good to try to be especially clever?

Better not get into an argument.

A king or duke is sure to pit his wits against one's own with the whole weight of his authority behind him.

Your eye he'll dazzle, Your look he'll cow, Your mouth he'll manage, Your gesture he'll shape, Your heart he'll form.

You will find yourself using fire to quell fire, water to quell water, the name for it is 'going from bad to worse'.

Being submissive at the start that is how you will always be.

I am afraid that he will lose faith in your fulsome words, and so you'll be sure to die at the tyrant's hands.

'One more point.

Formerly Kuan Lung-feng was executed by Chieh and Prince Pi-kan by Chow.

Both were men meticulous in their personal conduct who as ministers offended emperors by sympathising with their subjects.

Consequently their lords found their meticulousness a reason to get rid of them.

These were men who desired a good name.

And formerly Yao attacked Tsung, Chih and Hsu-ao, Yu attacked Yu-hu, the countries were reduced to empty wastes and hungry ghosts, the rulers were executed.

There was no end to their calls to arms, no respite in their aspiration to great deeds.

All these men were seekers of the name or the deed, and don't tell me you haven't heard of them!

A good name, a great deed, tempt even the sage, and do you think you're any better?

However, I am sure you have something in mind.

Let me hear about it.