Discourse on Swords

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In former times, King Wen of Zhao was fond of swordsmanship. Sword fighters crowded at his gates as retainers, more than three thousand of them. Day and night they fought before him, and each year more than a hundred were killed or wounded, yet his fondness for it never tired. This went on for three years, and the state declined; the feudal lords plotted against it. The crown prince Kui was troubled by this and sought among his attendants, saying, "Whoever can persuade the king's mind and stop the sword fighters will be given a thousand pieces of gold."

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The attendants said, "Zhuangzi should be able to do it."

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The crown prince then sent someone to present a thousand pieces of gold to Zhuangzi. Zhuangzi would not accept it; he went together with the messenger and, upon seeing the crown prince, said, "What does the crown prince wish to teach Zhou, that he bestows a thousand pieces of gold on Zhou?"

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The crown prince said, "I have heard that you, Master, are enlightened and sage-like. I respectfully present a thousand pieces of gold as gifts for your followers. If you, Master, do not accept it, how would I, Kui, dare say anything further?"

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Zhuangzi said, "I have heard that what the crown prince wishes to use Zhou for is to cut off the king's fondness. Suppose I, as a subject, go up to persuade the great king but go against the king's will, and below fail to match the crown prince: then my body will be punished and I will die. What use would Zhou then have for the gold? Suppose I, as a subject, persuade the great king above and match the crown prince below: what could Zhao seek and not obtain?"

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The crown prince said, "Yes. But the only people my king sees are sword fighters."

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Zhuangzi said, “Very well. I, Zhou, am skilled in the sword.”

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The crown prince said, “Yet the swordsmen our king sees all have disheveled hair and bristling sideburns; their caps hang low, with thick, coarse tassels; they wear coats short in the back; they glare and speak as if challenging others. The king delights in them. Now if you, Master, insist on meeting the king in Confucian attire, matters will surely go greatly awry.”

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Zhuangzi said, “Please let me prepare the attire of a swordsman.”

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After three days spent preparing the swordsman’s attire, he went to see the crown prince. The crown prince then went with him to see the king. The king drew a bright blade and held it in his hand.

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Zhuangzi entered the palace gate without quickening his step, and on seeing the king he did not bow. The king said, “With what do you wish to instruct me, that you have caused the crown prince to come first?”

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He replied, “I, your servant, have heard that the great king delights in swords, and so I have come to see the king by means of the sword.”

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The king said, “How can your sword restrain and control an opponent?”

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Zhuangzi replied, “Your servant’s sword: one man every ten paces; over a thousand li it leaves no trace.”

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The king was greatly delighted and said, “There is no match under Heaven.”

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Zhuangzi said, “In swordsmanship, one displays emptiness to the opponent, lures him to open himself by offering an advantage, acts after the opponent yet arrives first. I would like to be given a trial.”

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The king said, “Master, rest. Go to your lodging and await orders; I will have a contest arranged and invite you, Master.”

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The king then tested the swordsmen for seven days; more than sixty died, and five or six were selected. He had them hold their swords at the foot of the hall, then summoned Zhuangzi. The king said, “Today I will try having the swordsmen match swords.”

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Zhuangzi said, "I have looked forward to this for a long time!"

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The king said, "What is the length of the sword you wield, Master?"

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He replied, "Whatever your servant presents is acceptable. Yet your servant has three swords, all for the king to use. I beg leave to speak first and then test them."

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The king said, "I wish to hear about the three swords."

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Zhuangzi said, "There is the sword of the Son of Heaven, the sword of the feudal lords, and the sword of the common man."

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The king said, "What is the sword of the Son of Heaven like?"

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He said: “The sword of the Son of Heaven has Yanxi and Shicheng as its point, Qi and Dai as its edge; Jin and Wei as its spine, Zhou and Song as its guard, Han and Wei as its grip. It is wrapped with the Four Barbarians, bound with the four seasons; encircled by the Bohai, belted by Mount Chang; governed by the Five Phases, judged by punishment and virtue; opened by yin and yang, held by spring and summer, wielded in autumn and winter.

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When this sword is thrust forward, nothing stands before it; when raised, nothing is above it; when pressed down, nothing is below it; when wielded, nothing is beside it. Above, it cleaves the floating clouds; below, it severs the earth’s bonds. Once this sword is used, the feudal lords are rectified and the world submits. This is the sword of the Son of Heaven.”

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King Wen, looking blank and as if he had lost himself, said: “What about the sword of the feudal lords?”

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He said: “The sword of the feudal lords has the wise and brave as its point, the pure and upright as its edge, the worthy and good as its spine, the loyal and sage as its guard, and heroes and outstanding men as its grip. When this sword is thrust forward, there is likewise nothing ahead of it; when raised, nothing above it; when pressed down, nothing below it; when wielded, nothing beside it.

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Above, it takes the round heaven as its model and follows the three luminaries; below, it takes the square earth as its model and follows the four seasons; in the middle, it harmonizes the will of the people and brings peace to the four quarters. Once this sword is used, it is like the crash of thunder: within the four borders, there is none that does not submit and obey the ruler’s commands. This is the sword of the feudal lords.”

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The king said: “What about the sword of the common people?”

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He said: 'The commoner's sword: with disheveled hair and jutting sideburns, a drooping cap, a coarse long tassel, a coat cut short at the back, glaring eyes, and halting speech. They strike one another; above they slash the neck, below they pierce liver and lungs. This commoner's sword is no different from cockfighting: once their lives are ended, they are of no use in the affairs of state.'

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Now Your Majesty holds the position of a Son of Heaven, yet you are fond of the commoner's sword; I privately consider it beneath Your Majesty's regard.'

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The king then took him by the hand and led him up into the hall. The steward served food, and the king walked around it three times. Zhuangzi said: 'Your Majesty, sit at ease and settle your breath; the matter of the sword has already been fully presented.'

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Thereupon King Wen did not leave the palace for three months, and the swordsmen all met their end there (the base text reads 服毙; one interpretation takes it as 伏毙, “fell dead”).

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