Written around 250 BC, The Book of Lieh Tzu reflects the spirit of its era, recounting historical events and examining the impact of human actions. In retelling these stories as My travels with Lieh Tzu, I strive to maintain their essential meaning and tone while reimagining the ideas to explore their relevance in today’s world. When the entry below was initially written, it portrayed the emperor as a god—not entirely a god but possessing God-like attributes. Considering the era in which this story would have been told, it reflects a deep respect for authority, whether one is an emperor or a simple peddler.
Respect for higher authority eventually laid the groundwork for the emperor’s absolute power, as later outlined in Confucian doctrine. It originally arose from the advantages of a benevolent emperor’s rule, aligning with the legalists’ objectives as they adapted Confucius’ teachings to serve their own ends. Lieh Tzu cautioned against trusting those who appear virtuous and benevolent but behave contrary to those values. The struggle to look past self-interest and focus on the greater good ultimately depends on an individual’s ability to rise with an awareness above their own perspective. To me, this is one of life’s greatest mysteries.
Lao Tzu famously said, “there’s a belief that life flows continuously, while change moves in recurring cycles”. Historically, in China, this aligns with the Taoist idea that life manifests through cycles, reflecting the interplay of yin versus yang. That easy gives rise to difficult, that resonance harmonizes sound, and that after follows before – as Lao Tzu explains in chapter two of his Tao Te Ching. The movements of the Tao are not imposed on us but are meant to happen naturally and spontaneously through us. This spontaneity is the way the Tao operates, and since human behavior should reflect the characteristics of the Tao, our actions should also arise spontaneously. That acting in harmony with nature, means for those following the Tao, we act spontaneously according to our true nature and trusting our intuitive intelligence.
The entry below suggests that when our actions stem from intuitive wisdom, naturally and in tune with our surroundings, there’s no need to force ourselves or those around us. Instead, we align our actions with the flow of the Tao. This idea of non-action, of not doing anything that goes against the values inherent in nature, is what came to be known as “wu wei.”
My travels with Lieh Tzu / Interpolations along the Way
Chapter Four – Confucius
65. The Peddler
How can one know if he rules successfully or is considered a failure? Whether the 
empire is in order or if those he governs would prefer his head? Asking his courtiers, all are afraid to say.
Asking visitors to the court, they are afraid to offend. Asking throughout the provinces they fear for their lives.
Disguising himself as a common peddler, he takes to the road traveling to all corners of his kingdom. Talking to others, listening to what they would say. Bound and 
determined to learn the truth. What might be conveyed?
While in the marketplace of a small town on the fringes of the empire he heard a boy singing: “You raised us up, the multitudes; all observe your standards. Unknowing, unremembering, we obey the laws of God.”
Overwhelmed, the ruler of the empire still dressed as a common street peddler asked the boy who had taught him to repeat his saying.
The boy simply said that he had heard it from a high official who later, not knowing who he was speaking to, said that it was just an old verse known to all.
The emperor, knowing that nothing could be improved upon, returned to his palace and abdicated his throne. Leaving it to his son. Simply admonishing him to follow the old ways and his heart and all would be well. With all the riches and splendor to keep him to his end, the now free father of the emperor took back to roaming the countryside. Finding his true nature, he now knew simple ways and simple explanations of life’s mysteries. Always remembering the verse, the boy in the marketplace sang with joy.
You raised us up; the multitudes all observe your standards. Unknowing, unremembering we obey the laws of God. Once revered as a God, he now found peace as a common peddler. 3/25/95
Number sixty-five of one hundred fifty-eight entries.
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