Conversations of the Taoist Master Fu Hsiang

Fu Hsiang: This is how the majority of human beings have been throughout history. The inferior man's thoughts are never far from his belly. He is driven by desires for material things. Men Chow, he is like that American cartoon character we are always watching.

Men Chow: Homer Simpson?

Tsia Tung: Homer Simpson is perfect for capitalism don't you think? He is the product of American advertising. He is what the advertising men are pushing the Americans to become. No sooner does he see an advertisement for something than he wants it. He does not think unless it is needed to satisfy his desires, and then he does not think clearly or well. His body is fat and stuffed with junk food and his brain is full of TV.

Men Chow: I like Homer Simpson, but it is true that I would not like to be like him.

Fu Hsiang: Our own peasants are not so different in their hearts. If you could look into their dreams, you would find that they wanted many of the things that Homer has got. And if they got these things, many of them would behave in just the same way as Homer. They are thin because they cannot afford rich American food, and they are healthy because they have to do physical work in order to live. But given a choice they would abandon these things and live like Homer.