Once when Confucius was passing near the foot of Mount Tai in a chariot, there was a married woman weeping at a grave mound, and dolorously too. Confucius politely rested his hands on the front rail of the chariot and listened to her weeping. He sent Zilu (Tzu-lu) to inquire of her, saying; “From the sound of your weeping, it seems that you indeed have many troubles.”

Then the woman said; “It is true. My father-in-law died in a tiger’s jaw; my husband also died there. Now, my son has also died there.” Confucius said, “Why do you not leave this place?” The woman said: “Here there is no harsh and oppressive government.”

Confucius said, “Young men, take note of this: a harsh and oppressive government is more ferocious and fearsome than even a tiger.”