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Ivory
Chopsticks When
King Chow ordered chopsticks made of ivory, Chi Tzu was most
perturbed.
For he feared that once the king had ivory chopsticks he
would not be content with
earthenware, but would want cups of rhinoceros horn and jade
; and instead of beans and vegetables, he would insist on
such delicacies as elephant's tail and baby leopard. He
would hardly be willing either to wear rough homespun or
live under a thatched roof, but would demand silks and
splendid mansions.
"
It is fear of what this will lead to " said Chi Tzu,
" that upsets me. "
Five
years later, indeed, King chow had a garden filled with
meat, tortured his subjects with hot irons, and caroused in
a lake of wine. And so he lost his kingdom.
| perturbed
|
If someone is
perturbed by something, they are worried by it.
|
|
|
| content
with
|
If you are content to do something
or if you are content with
something, you are willing to do, have, or accept
that thing, rather than wanting something more or
something better. |
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