An Admonitory Vessel

Ancient Chinese Fables--An Admonitory Vessel

On a visit to the temple of Duke Huan of the state of Lu Confucius came upon a “leaning vessel ”. He asked the keeper of the temple about it.

“What vessel is this?”

“This vessel,” replied the keeper,” is put on the right hand side of one’s seat to serve an admonitory purpose.”

“I have heard,” said Confucius, “that such an admonitory vessel would lean to one side when it is empty, stand upright when its contents are just the right amount, and fall down when it is full.”

He turned to his disciples. “Pour water into it.”

His disciples ladled water into the vessel. When the amount was neither too little nor too much the vessel stood upright; When the vessel full it fell down; When it was empty it leaned to one side.

Confucius heaved a sign. “Alas! A fall is inevitable for one who is full of his own worth.”