Confucius demonstrates the virtue of moderation

A story in the Analects of Confucius describes a visit by Confucius (shown with a white beard at the upper left), and his disciple Zi Lu (far right) to the tomb of Duke Huan (d. 643 B.C.) of Chi. They noticed a device with three metal pots attached. Confucius asked the guard (lower left) about this item, and the guard told him it was a device designed to tip over easily. Confucius explained to his disciple that the Duke, who was very clever, kept this device with him at all times. He let Zi Lu try to fill the vessels with water and the one he filled to the brim (an example of excess) inevitably tipped over, as shown in this painting. The moral is that people with too much money and power, will always come to a bad end. Practice moderation in all things.