“"But now, Master, you let your hair down and live in the middle of the great ocean, far from these gentlemen. I fear the world will sigh over you and criticize you. Your conduct is laughed at by the world and you have no way of achieving success: This indeed can be called shame and disgrace! You dwell in difficult conditions and your conduct is laughed at by the men of the world; I cannot believe that the Master can accept such a fate!"

Thereupon Master Great Man sighed in a relaxed way and sent him the following answer, using the clouds [to carry his message]: "What can all that you have said mean? Now, a Great Man is of the same essence as Creation and was born with the universe itself. He freely floated in the world, reaching perfection with the tao. In accord with the successive transformations that take place he disperses himself or gathers himself together: He does not keep a constant form.”