Robber Zhi (盜跖) is one of the stock characters of the Zhuangzi, frequently invoked to poke holes in the tenets of other philosophers and generally Confucians. This cheeky list, which sums up the ‘dao’ of being a thief, is a comical subversion of the qualities that the ruists espoused. The satirical passage is part of a broader point; the sages disturbed the natural order by introducing the artificial desire for virtuous qualities. Though a few good people may result, the society they create gives rise to evil people who can abuse the structures to their own ends. “When sages are born great thieves arise.”

Thief

Virtues

of a

sagehood

“…appraising the valuables in a room – that’s sagehood.”

夫妄意室中之藏，聖也

courage

“…being the first to break in – that’s courage.”

入先，勇也

righteousness

“….being the last one out – that’s righteousness.”

出後，義也

understanding

“…deciding whether the raid is possible – that’s understanding.”

知可否，知也

benevolence

“dividing the spoils fairly – that’s benevolence.”

分均，仁也

Sources and Further Reading

Ctext.org

Parallel text of the Zhuangzi

https://ctext.org/zhuangzi/cutting-open-satchels

The Book of Zhuangzi

Translated by Martin Palmer

Penguin Group 2006