A Chinese legend tells of an old sage who sat at a fountain. The
three founders of the principal religions of the land met him
there looking for an apostle to carry his message to men. Said
he in explanation of the reason why he did not go himself and
carry his own message: “I can not go because only the upper part
of me is flesh and blood--the lower part is stone. I can talk
but can not walk. I can teach virtue, but I can not follow its
teaching.”
The legend seems to be a parabolic way of pointing out the well-known
fact that it is far easier to preach than to practise.
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