batch.motif.daoist-zhuangzi-giles-gutenberg-l6500-l6610
---
record_id: batch.motif.daoist-zhuangzi-giles-gutenberg-l6500-l6610
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/daoist/project-gutenberg/chuang-tzu-giles.md
passage_locator:
label: CHAPTER XIII. / THE TAO OF GOD. / CHAPTER XIV. / THE CIRCLING SKY.; lines
6500-6610
start: '6500'
end: '6610'
translation: 'Chuang Tzu: Mystic, Moralist, and Social Reformer'
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: Lao Tzu answers Tzu Kung by describing the administrations of legendary
rulers as stages of social distortion, culminating in confusion caused by reputed
sage wisdom. In a later dialogue, Confucius tells Lao Tzu that his study and use
of the Six Canons failed to persuade rulers. Lao Tzu calls the canons worn-out
footprints rather than the living source, invokes natural reproduction and fixed
natural processes, and states that Tao cannot be obstructed. After three months
indoors, Confucius returns saying he has attained insight into natural development
and the limits of unenlightened teaching; Lao Tzu confirms his attainment.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Tzu Kung says Yao handed the empire to Shun, Shun to Yu, Yu used labor, T'ang
used troops, Wen Wang followed Chou Hsin, and Wu Wang opposed Chou Hsin.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Lao Tzu describes the Yellow Emperor's administration as making the people's
affections catholic, with equal love and no weeping for parents' deaths.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Lao Tzu describes Yao's administration as channeling affection into particular
relations, so that revenge for a slain parent was not blamed.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: Lao Tzu describes Shun's administration as bringing rivalry, precocious children,
and early death into the world.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: Lao Tzu describes Yu's administration as producing individuality, force, sanctioned
killing of robbers, social classes, alarm, and the rise of Confucianists and Mihists.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: Lao Tzu says the government of the Three Kings and Five Rulers was only nominally
government and was in reality confusion.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: Lao Tzu says the wisdom of the Three Kings opposed the sun and moon, damaged
land and water, and subverted the four seasons.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:8
text: Confucius says he arranged the Six Canons, used them to admonish seventy-two
rulers, and failed to have any ruler adopt his suggestions.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:9
text: Lao Tzu says the Six Canons are worn-out footprints of ancient sages and distinguishes
footprints from the shoe that made them.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:10
text: Lao Tzu lists fish-hawks, insects, and a self-producing hermaphrodite animal
as examples of offspring arising according to natural processes.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:11
text: Lao Tzu states that nature cannot be changed, destiny cannot be altered, time
cannot stop, and Tao cannot be obstructed.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:12
text: Confucius remains indoors for three months, returns to Lao Tzu, and says he
has attained.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:13
text: Confucius cites birds laying eggs, fish spawning, insects metamorphosing,
and mammals suckling their young as examples connected with his attainment.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:14
text: Lao Tzu tells Ch'iu that he has attained.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Tzu Kung
description: A speaker who contrasts the actions of ancient rulers and becomes ill
at ease after Lao Tzu's rebuke of reputed sage government.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Lao Tzu
description: A teacher who interprets ancient governments as disordering influences
and instructs Confucius about canons, natural processes, and Tao.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:11
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Yellow Emperor
description: A ruler whose administration is said to make the people's affections
catholic and equal.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Yao
description: A ruler whose administration is said to direct affection into filial
channels.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Shun
description: A ruler whose administration is said to bring rivalry, precocity, and
early death.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Yu
description: A ruler associated with labor and with an administration said to produce
individuality, force, classes, and alarm.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Three Kings and Five Rulers
description: A collective group whose government is described by Lao Tzu as nominal
and confused, and whose wisdom is described as harmful.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Confucius
description: A seeker and teacher who arranges the Six Canons, fails to persuade
rulers, receives Lao Tzu's instruction, withdraws for three months, and returns
claiming attainment.
role_refs:
- role:6
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Ancient Sages
description: Figures whose words or canons are compared by Lao Tzu to worn-out footprints.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Seventy-two rulers
description: Rulers whom Confucius says he admonished without success.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
roles:
- id: role:1
label: questioning interlocutor
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Tzu Kung gives a comparative statement about ancient rulers, prompting Lao
Tzu's reply.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: critic of sage government
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Lao Tzu evaluates the administrations of legendary rulers as producing social
and cosmic disorder.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:3
label: teacher of Tao and natural process
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Lao Tzu instructs Confucius that the canons are footprints and that Tao cannot
be obstructed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:11
- id: role:4
label: legendary ruler or ruler group
assigned_to:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
basis: These figures are named in the discussion of ancient administrations and
rulership.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:5
label: bearers of harmful wisdom
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Their wisdom is said to oppose heavenly lights, damage land and water, and
disrupt the seasons.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:6
label: failed persuader of rulers
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Confucius says he used the Six Canons to admonish seventy-two rulers but
none adopted his suggestions.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:7
label: student who attains insight
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: After three months indoors, Confucius returns to Lao Tzu and says he has
attained; Lao Tzu confirms this.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: role:8
label: source of textual traces
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Ancient sages are connected with the Six Canons, which Lao Tzu calls worn-out
footprints.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:9
label: unpersuaded political audience
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Confucius says none of the rulers adopted his suggestions.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: worn-out footprints
literal_form: footprints
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:8
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:2
label: shoe that makes footprints
literal_form: shoe
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:3
label: sun and moon
literal_form: sun and moon above
associated_figures:
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:4
label: land and water
literal_form: land and water below
associated_figures:
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:5
label: four seasons
literal_form: four seasons between
associated_figures:
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:6
label: natural reproduction and development
literal_form: fish-hawks, insects, hermaphrodite animal, birds laying eggs, fish
spawning, insects metamorphosing, mammals suckling
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: sym:7
label: Tao as unobstructed principle
literal_form: TAO
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:11
- id: sym:8
label: Six Canons
literal_form: Poetry, History, Rites, Music, Changes, and Spring and Autumn
associated_figures:
- fig:8
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Lao Tzu's account of progressive disorder under ancient rulers
summary: After Tzu Kung contrasts ancient rulers, Lao Tzu describes successive administrations
as altering human affections and producing rivalry, force, social division, alarm,
and confusion.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:2
label: Confucius reports failure with the Six Canons
summary: Confucius tells Lao Tzu that he arranged and understood the Six Canons
and used them to admonish seventy-two rulers, but no ruler adopted his advice.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:8
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:3
label: Lao Tzu teaches through footprints and natural generation
summary: Lao Tzu replies that the Six Canons are worn-out footprints, not the shoe
itself, and then gives examples of offspring produced according to natural processes,
stating that Tao cannot be obstructed.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:6
- sym:7
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: scene:4
label: Confucius' withdrawal and attainment
summary: Confucius stays indoors for three months, returns to Lao Tzu, cites natural
development in living beings, recognizes the limits of unenlightened teaching,
and is told by Lao Tzu that he has attained.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: critique of artificial wisdom in favor of Tao
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The passage contrasts reputed sage wisdom and canonical learning with Lao
Tzu's teaching that the canons are only traces and that attainment depends on
Tao.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The passage treats 'wisdom' ambivalently, criticizing conventional sage
wisdom while affirming insight into Tao.
- id: motif:2
label: teacher-student attainment after withdrawal
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
- initiation
basis: Confucius receives Lao Tzu's instruction, withdraws for three months, returns
claiming attainment, and is confirmed by Lao Tzu.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage does not present a long quest narrative; the pattern is limited
to instruction, retreat, and recognition.
- id: motif:3
label: natural order over human intervention
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Lao Tzu and Confucius cite animal reproduction and development to illustrate
fixed natural processes and the unobstructability of Tao.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: No supplied taxonomy family exactly matches this motif, so no taxonomy
reference is assigned.
- id: motif:4
label: decline from undifferentiated affection to social division
taxonomy_refs:
- duality
basis: Lao Tzu's sequence moves from equal affection under the Yellow Emperor to
filial partiality, rivalry, individuality, force, classes, and alarm.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The duality reference is approximate, based on increasing differentiation
rather than an explicit paired opposition.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The passage fits a wisdom motif at the level of function because it distinguishes
living attainment of Tao from textual and political wisdom that has become a harmful
or empty trace.
claim_level: same_function
target: wisdom motif family
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: This is an internal motif-family classification, not a claim of historical
contact with another tradition.
- id: claim:2
claim: The Confucius-Lao Tzu episode resembles an initiation or mystical quest pattern
in which instruction, withdrawal, and recognition mark attainment.
claim_level: same_function
target: mystical_quest and initiation motif families
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The episode is brief and lacks many elements common to extended quest
narratives.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 6500-6508
quote_or_summary: Tzu Kung contrasts Yao, Shun, Yu, T'ang, Wen Wang, and Wu Wang,
concluding that their conduct was not uniform; Lao Tzu invites him nearer to hear
about the Three Kings and Five Rulers.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/daoist/project-gutenberg/chuang-tzu-giles.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 6509-6515
quote_or_summary: Lao Tzu says the Yellow Emperor's administration made the people's
affections catholic, so nobody wept for parents and all loved equally.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/daoist/project-gutenberg/chuang-tzu-giles.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 6516-6522
quote_or_summary: Lao Tzu says Yao's administration diverted affections into particular
channels, and one who killed a parent's slayer was not blamed.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/daoist/project-gutenberg/chuang-tzu-giles.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 6523-6534
quote_or_summary: Lao Tzu says Shun's administration brought rivalry; children developed
precociously, and early death came into the world.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/daoist/project-gutenberg/chuang-tzu-giles.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 6535-6551
quote_or_summary: Lao Tzu says Yu's administration changed hearts, produced individuality
and force, sanctioned killing robbers, divided society into classes, caused alarm,
and saw Confucianists and Mihists arise.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/daoist/project-gutenberg/chuang-tzu-giles.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 6552-6565
quote_or_summary: Lao Tzu says the Three Kings and Five Rulers governed only in
name; their wisdom brought confusion, opposed sun and moon, damaged land and water,
subverted seasons, and was more harmful than a hornet's tail.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/daoist/project-gutenberg/chuang-tzu-giles.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 6566-6576
quote_or_summary: Confucius says he arranged the Six Canons, knew their purport,
and used them to admonish seventy-two rulers, but none adopted his suggestions.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/daoist/project-gutenberg/chuang-tzu-giles.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: quote
locator: lines 6577-6584
quote_or_summary: '"Your Six Canons are but the worn-out foot-prints of ancient
Sages... Foot-prints are made by the shoe: they are not the shoe itself."'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/daoist/project-gutenberg/chuang-tzu-giles.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; short quotation.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 6585-6594
quote_or_summary: Lao Tzu gives examples of offspring among fish-hawks, insects,
and a hermaphrodite animal, then says nature, destiny, time, and Tao cannot be
changed, altered, stopped, or obstructed.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/daoist/project-gutenberg/chuang-tzu-giles.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 6595-6608
quote_or_summary: After three months indoors, Confucius returns and says he has
attained, citing birds laying eggs, fish spawning, insects metamorphosing, and
mammals suckling, and stating that one not enlightened cannot enlighten others.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/daoist/project-gutenberg/chuang-tzu-giles.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; summarized.
- id: ev:11
type: quote
locator: lines 6609-6610
quote_or_summary: Lao Tzu said, "Ch'iu, you have attained!"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/daoist/project-gutenberg/chuang-tzu-giles.md
rights_note: Public domain translation; short quotation.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: Literal extraction is supported by the supplied passage. Motif classification
is cautious because the passage is philosophical dialogue rather than narrative
myth in a strict sense.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
Only the supplied passage and metadata were used. Translator/editorial notes in the passage were not used as evidence for motif assignment.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:daoist-zhuangzi-giles-gutenberg__l6500-l6610
passage_sha256=bc2e8a9353a4b0b24b658c077ea50d110e02cc917aab80f48e50d4bdf5778c5c