English Original
Zhuangzi was sitting by the Pushui River, fishing leisurely.
King Wei of Chu sent two ministers to persuade him to accept the position of Prime Minister.
Zhuangzi asked, "I have heard that there is a sacred tortoise in your state, which has been dead for three thousand years. The king treats it as a national treasure and enshrines it in the ancestral temple. So, ministers, do you think this tortoise would rather be alive, dragging its tail in the mud, or enjoy the honor bestowed upon it after death?"
"We believe it would rather be alive," the ministers replied.
"Then you may leave now," said Zhuangzi. "I, too, prefer to live freely, dragging my tail in the mud."
中文翻译
庄子悠闲地坐在濮水河边钓鱼。
楚威王派遣两位大臣前来游说，希望庄子接受楚国相国的职位。
庄子问道：“我听说贵国有一只神龟，已经死了三千年。楚王将它奉为国宝，珍藏在庙堂之中。那么，两位大臣认为，这只乌龟是宁愿拖着尾巴活在泥泞里，还是享受死后的尊荣呢？”
大臣们回答：“我们认为它宁愿活着。”
庄子说：“那么，你们请回吧。我也宁愿拖着尾巴，自由自在地活在泥泞之中。”