Fan Li: Know the Pattern of Advance and Withdrawal 范蠡：知进退

Fan Li was an advisor in the state of Yue in the Spring and Autumn Period (722-481 BC). In 494 BC, Goujian, the King of Yue State, decided to start a war against the Wu State, Yue’s northern neighbour. Fan Li advised the king not to start the war, but the king did not listen. The Yue State lost the war. Fan Li followed Goujian to the Wu State as hostages. Three years later they came back and he helped Goujian to carry on a reform. At last Yue was able to defeat the state of Wu.

After Goujian became king, Fan Li felt that it was unsuitable for him to stay on as an advisor. He resigned and renamed himself Tao Zhu Gong (Lord Tao Zhu). He became a successful businessman in his later years and was famous as a rich person.

Here is a letter he wrote to his friend Wen Zhong advising him to desert the King as well. Wen Zhong did not listen to Fan’s advice and was finally forced by the King to kill himself.

I have learned that just as there are four seasons in a year, with summer brave and winter bare, there are also vicissitudes in man’s life. When good luck reaches its limit, misfortune is destined to follow. If there is one who knows well when to advance and when to withdraw and in the meanwhile always remains righteous and upright, he should be esteemed as man of virtue and wisdom, shouldn’t he? Humble as I am, I have come to know this regular pattern of advance and withdrawal. When high-flying birds have all flown away, strong bows will be cast; and when cunning hares have all been hunted, fleeing hounds will be cooked as food.

And now let us have a look at the King of Yue – long-necked and beak-mouthed, hawk-eyed and wolf-footed. He is a man with whom you can weather difficult times together but not happiness; with whom you can weather danger together but not live peace together. If you don’t leave him now, he will harm you sooner or later. Isn’t it clear enough?

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范蠡是春秋时代（公元前722年至481年）越国的大臣。公元前494年，越王勾践决定攻打北部的吴国。范蠡规劝越王不要发动战争，可是越王不听。越国战败。范蠡随勾践到吴国为人质。三年后，他们归国，范蠡协助勾践改革。最后，越国把吴国打败。

勾践成为国君后，范蠡觉得不适合继续为大臣。他辞去并改名为陶朱公。晚年他成为一个成功商人，是一个著名的富豪。

这里是他写给他的朋友文种的一封信，劝他离开越王。文种不听范蠡的劝告，结果为越王所逼而自杀。

吾闻天有四时，春生冬伐；人有盛衰，泰终必否。知进退存亡而不失其正，惟贤人乎！蠡虽不才，明知进退。高鸟已散，良弓将藏；狡兔已尽，良犬就烹。

夫越王为人，长颈鸟啄，鹰视狼步。可与共患难，而不可共处乐；可与履危，不可与安。子若不去，将害于子，明矣。