Fables · LT702

Satirical Parables

Satirical parables using animal fables and humor to expose social hypocrisy.

49works

9dynasties

32authors

Zhou

10 works

1046–221 BCE

  1. Fighting Tigers Barehanded, Fording Rivers on FootAnonymous (Confucius's disciples and their students)Courage without judgment is not heroism; careful planning is what succeeds.
  2. Hearsay from the RoadAnonymous (Confucius's disciples and their students)Passing on what you hear without checking it abandons virtue.
  3. You Deceive Me, I Cheat YouZuo QiumingAmid mutual deception, candor can sometimes be the most powerful move.
  4. Holding the Chess Piece UndecidedZuo QiumingIndecision loses even a board game, let alone matters of great weight.
  5. The Loftier the Song, the Fewer Who Join InSong YuThe more refined your vision, the fewer who understand it; don't doubt yourself for that.
  6. In the Same Boat, Crossing TogetherSun WuWhen fates are bound together, even rivals will work as one.
  7. Putting Oneself in Others' ShoesAnonymous (Confucius's disciples and their students)Do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself.
  8. Throwing an Egg Against a RockMozi (Mo Di) (traditionally attributed)Against solid reasoning, baseless claims shatter like eggs on stone.
  9. Preparedness Averts PerilAnonymousPrepare in advance, and you can face the unexpected calmly.
  10. The More One Hides, the More It ShowsZuo QiumingThe harder you try to conceal the truth, the more it comes to light.

Han

8 works

202 BCE – 220 CE

  1. Playing the Lute to a CowMouziKnow your audience; speak in a way the listener can understand.
  2. Lord She Loves DragonsLiu XiangA professed love may not survive meeting the real thing.
  3. The Overturned Cart Ahead as a WarningBan GuOthers' failures are a mirror; ignore their lesson and you repeat their fall.
  4. Little Seen, Much Marveled AtMouziOnly the inexperienced are easily astonished; the unfamiliar is not the impossible.
  5. Hesitating to Hit the Rat for Fear of Breaking the VaseBan GuWeigh collateral damage when striking wrongdoers, but don't use it as an excuse for inaction.
  6. Badgers from the Same HillBan GuBlunt truths feel satisfying, but timing and discretion still matter.
  7. Testing the Law with One's Own BodyBan GuKnowingly breaking the law means knowingly accepting its consequences.
  8. Kindred Spirits on a Shared PathBan GuTrue companionship lies in shared aims, not in constant company.

Northern and Southern

5 works

420–589

  1. A Great Talent Put to Petty UseFan YeWasting great talent on small tasks harms both the person and the nation.
  2. Guarding Against the First Small SignsFan YeStop trouble at its first small sign, before it grows beyond control.
  3. Drawing a Tiger That Looks Like a DogFan YeImitating what is beyond your reach leaves you a clumsy caricature.
  4. A Tower Built in the AirSanghasenaSeeking the top floor without building the foundation achieves nothing.
  5. The Blind Men and the ElephantDharmakshema (translator)Taking one part for the whole leads everyone to insist on a partial truth.

Tang

6 works

618–907

  1. Two Eagles with One ArrowLi YanshouTrue skill lets a single action achieve two goals at once.
  2. The Moth Flying into the FlameYao SilianDrawn heedlessly to what dazzles, you may end up consumed by it.
  3. A Dream of NankeLi GongzuoWealth and glory vanish like a dream; don't cling too hard to gains and losses.
  4. Riding a Tiger, Hard to DismountWei Zheng et al.Some paths cannot be abandoned once taken; think hard before you start.
  5. Penetrating the Wood Three Fen DeepZhang HuaiguanDeep, penetrating skill comes from long and focused effort.
  6. Splitting at the Touch of the BladeFang Xuanling et al.Break through the hardest first part, and the rest gives way naturally.

Song

9 works

960–1279

  1. The Oil Seller's SkillOuyang XiuMastery holds no secret; it comes from practice repeated until it is second nature.
  2. Beating the Grass and Startling the SnakeZheng WenbaoA guilty conscience trembles when others like it are punished.
  3. Honey on the Lips, a Sword in the BellySima GuangSweet words may hide deadly intent; judge people by their deeds.
  4. Falling Behind Sun ShanFan GongchengDelivering bad news with tact lets the listener keep their dignity.
  5. Please Step into the UrnSima GuangThe cruel methods you devise for others may one day be turned on you.
  6. Dripping Water Wears Through StoneLuo DajingEven the smallest force, applied persistently, achieves remarkable results.
  7. Turning Pale at the Mention of a TigerCheng Hao and Cheng YiOnly knowledge gained through experience is true, deeply felt knowledge.
  8. Serving as the Tiger's Ghostly AccompliceLi Fang et al.Becoming the accomplice of the power that harmed you is the saddest betrayal.
  9. Asking the Tiger for Its SkinLi Fang et al.Asking someone to sacrifice their core interests is futile and dangerous.

Yuan

4 works

1260–1368

  1. Swallowing Dates WholeBai TingTaking things in without chewing them over yields no real understanding.
  2. Staking Everything on One ThrowToqto'a et al.An all-or-nothing gamble is perilous; even victory can bring suspicion.
  3. The Fox Mourns the Dead HareToqto'a et al.When one of your kind falls, take it as a warning for yourself.
  4. Yulizi (The Book of Master Yuli)Liu BowenWhat is Yuli? Li is fire, the sign of civilization; put to use, its culture flourishes, bringing the rule of an enlightened age.