English Original
One day, Zhuang Zi visited Ai Gong, the King of Lu.
Ai Gong said, "There are many Confucian scholars in my state, but few study your Taoist doctrines."
Zhuang Zi replied, "That is not the case. In fact, there are very few true Confucian scholars in Lu."
Ai Gong asked, "How can you say that when everyone here wears Confucian robes?"
Zhuang Zi explained, "I have heard that true Confucians with round hats understand astronomy; those with square shoes understand geography; those with colored jade pendants can make decisive judgments. However, those with real knowledge do not necessarily wear the robes, and those who wear the robes do not necessarily possess the knowledge. If you doubt me, issue a decree: 'Anyone wearing Confucian robes without understanding Confucian doctrines shall be put to death.' Then see what happens."
Ai Gong issued the order. Five days later, to his astonishment, no one in the state dared wear Confucian robes except one man standing outside the palace gate. The king summoned him and questioned him on state affairs. The man answered fluently and with clear logic.
Zhuang Zi concluded, "Lu is the birthplace of Confucianism, yet it has only one true scholar. How can you say there are many?"
中文翻译
一天，庄子去拜见鲁哀公。
哀公说：“我们鲁国有很多儒生，但学习你道家学说的人却很少。”
庄子回答道：“事实并非如此。实际上，鲁国真正的儒生非常少。”
哀公反问：“我国上下都穿着儒服，你怎么能说儒生少呢？”
庄子解释说：“我听说，头戴圆形帽的真儒通晓天时；脚穿方形鞋的真儒通晓地理；身佩彩玉的真儒能当机立断。然而，有真才实学的人不一定穿儒服，而穿儒服的人不一定有真学问。您若不信，可以通令全国：‘凡不懂儒学却穿儒服者，一律处死。’然后看看结果如何。”
哀公颁布了此令。五天后，令他惊讶的是，全国无人再敢穿儒服，唯有一男子身穿儒服立于宫门外。哀公立即召见他，并以国事相问。此人果然对答如流，条理清晰。
庄子总结道：“鲁国是儒家的故乡，却只有一位真儒生。这怎么能说儒生很多呢？”