The thief told him what had happened and sighed: "I am now even poorer than before."

The rich man was astonished at first, then said regretfully: "How can you be in reduced circumstances? Alas, you completely misunderstood what I meant by stealing and robbing."

He continued: "By stealing and robbing, I meant seeking for the resources of the earth, and racing against the seasons of the heavens. Dense forests, broad land, sunshine, rain and dew, wind and cloud, all these are my targets for robbing. I approach them, make friends with them, and rely on them to plant crops and build houses. Birds in the sky, beasts on land, fish and shrimp in the river…all these don't belong to me by nature. But I, fearing neither hardship nor toil, use my brains and think up ways to steal them and rob them. This is stealing and robbing in an open and aboveboard way. It is by no means committing a crime. As to the clothing, food and articles of individuals, they are obtained through people's own labour, and can only belong to these people. I have never encouraged you to steal and rob other people's private property. But you have actually done so, which does break the law. Who is to blame for your being found guilty and put in prison?"

齐国有个姓“国”的富人，宋国有个姓“向”的穷人。

穷人到齐国去拜访那位富人，向他请教致富的方法。

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