Believing that to govern a country well one must depend on others, Marquis Wen of Wei asked Gu Juanzi, "Can I depend on my father, son, brother, and liegemen, who all possess virtues and talents?"
Gu Juanzi answered negatively and explained: "Yao was noted as a good father, yet his son was exiled. Shun was noted as a filial son, but his father Gu Shou could not distinguish good from evil, and his younger brother was arrogant. The Duke of Zhou was a sage, yet he ordered the execution of his elder brother. Shang Tang and King Wu of Zhou were able liegemen, but they overthrew their monarchs, Jie of Xia and Zhou of Shang, respectively. Those who depend on others can never achieve their goals and will not endure. If a ruler wishes to govern his country well, he must depend on himself."