Duke Chuang of Ch`i was out hunting, when a mantis lifted its
legs to seize the wheel [of his chariot]. He asked his driver, "What
insect is this?"
The driver said, "This is a mantis. Its characteristic as an
insect is that it knows how to advance but not how to retreat.
Without calculating its own strength it lightly advances against
its opponent."
Duke Chuang said, "If it were a man it would be the bravest
soldier in the empire." Whereupon he backed up his chariot to
avoid [crushing] it, and brave soldiers turned to him.
The Ode says,[2]
T`ang was not born too late,
And his wisdom and virtue daily advanced.
