Chi Hsing-Tzu was training a gamecock for the king. After ten days, the king asked if the bird was ready for combat. "No, Your Majesty," said Chi, "He's arrogant, always ready to pick a fight. He's still relying on his own strength."
Another ten days passed, and the king asked again. Chi said, "No, Sire, not yet. He still becomes excited when a rival bird appears."
Ten more days. The king asked again. "Not yet," Chi said. "He still gets an angry glint in his eye."
Another ten days, another question. Chi said, "Now, Sire, he's almost ready. When a rival crows, he doesn't react. He stands motionless like a block of wood. His focus is inside. Other birds will take one look at him and run."
Chuang Tzu from
Stephen Mitchell's
The Second Book of the Tao
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