禪林寶訓 2.27

2.27

Lingyuan said, "Venerable Zhongshan Yuan throughout his life did not associate with high officials and nobles, nor did he seek fame and gain improperly. He tended himself with humility and rejoiced in the Way. When scholar-officials first urged him to serve the world, Yuan said, 'If one has fertile fields, why worry about a late harvest? I fear only a lack of talent and ability.' When Duke Jing heard this, he said, 'Seeing the countenance [of danger], it takes flight, hovers, and then alights—Master Yuan has truly attained this!'" (*Zhuiyou ji*)