杂篇 · Miscellaneous Chapters · Chapter 7

盗跖Robber Zhi

盗跖批判

📖 Overview

This fierce chapter puts a devastating critique of Confucian morality in the mouth of Robber Zhi (盗跖), a bandit who has nine thousand followers and terrorizes the countryside. When Confucius comes to convert him, Zhi delivers a blistering speech exposing the hypocrisy of the sages.

🏮 Famous Stories & Parables

🏮 Robber Zhi Rebukes Confucius

Confucius visits Robber Zhi to persuade him to reform. Zhi turns the tables: 'Your sages — were they not hypocrites? King Wu fought in the name of righteousness but killed the rightful king. Your Confucius promoted loyalty but was betrayed by his own disciples. The world is full of men who use virtue as a mask for ambition.' Confucius flees in terror.

🔗 Key Concepts

盗跖 批判

📚 Further Reading