Stick #59
King Wu's Infatuation with Xi Shi
CautionPoem
By the brook, a peerless maiden stands, washing silk with graceful hands.
Her charms bewitched a king to doom, his kingdom lost in passion's gloom.
How crude the mimic's frowning grace, who copies but can't match her face.
A pheasant struts where phoenix flew - some heights were never meant for you.
澣溪紗女美無雙
媚至吳王國破亡
最惱東施效顰笑
山雞豈可勝鸞凰
Interpretation
This sign warns against overreaching ambition. Like Xi Shi whose beauty toppled kingdoms, true excellence can't be forced. The foolish 'Dong Shi' who copied Xi Shi's mannerisms only revealed her own inadequacy - just as a pheasant can never equal a phoenix. Stay true to your station; forced imitation brings misfortune. What comes naturally to others may be your undoing if pursued recklessly.
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