乃從荀卿學帝王之術。學已成，度楚王不足事，而六國皆弱，無可為建功者，欲西入秦。辭於荀卿曰：「斯聞得時無怠，今萬乘方爭時，游者主事。今秦王欲吞天下，稱帝而治，此布衣馳騖之時而游說者之秋也。處卑賤之位而計不為者，此禽鹿視肉，人面而能閒行者耳。故詬莫大於卑賤，而悲莫甚於窮困。久處卑賤之位，困苦之地，非世而惡利，自託於無為，此非士之情也。故斯將西說秦王矣。」

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He [Li Si] studied the arts of royal and imperial government under Xun Qing[1]. Having completed his studies, he judged the King of Chu[2] unworthy of his service and the six states[3] weak. It would be impossible for him to achieve anything great on their behalf. Thus he preferred to go west into Qin. He took his leave from Xun Qing, saying, "I have heard that when an opportunity falls into one's hands it should not be neglected. Currently factions tens of thousands of chariots strong are contending for just such an opportunity, and wandering officials direct their affairs. The King of Qin[4] now wishes to annex All-Under-Heaven, proclaim himself Emperor and rule. This is the moment for those in cotton clothes[5] to race ahead - the harvest festival of the wandering persuaders. Anyone occupying a minor position who has no plans to make the most of this situation is like a dog watching from beneath the table during a feast[6] - the only difference is that he has a human face and walks upright. Henceforth there will be no greater shame than low rank and no greater sorrow than to live in straitened circumstances[7]. To endure long in a humble position, beset by troubles, with no interest in worldly affairs and contempt for profit, full of fatalistic inertia[8]... This is not the true spirit of a scholar-official. Therefore I shall go west to exercise my persuasions upon the King of Qin."

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[1] Xun Qing or Xunzi was a pessimistic Confucian philosopher, believing that human nature tends naturally towards self-seeking behaviour, but can be reformed through effort.

[2] Probably King Kaolie of Chu (262–238 BCE), who was a comparatively weak king during Chu's declining years.

[3] The six large remaining feudal states with the exception of Qin: Chu, Han, Qi, Wei, Zhao and Yan.

[4] King Zhuangxiang of Qin (250-247 BCE) was the father of King Zheng, who would later unite the empire under the name Qin Shihuang.

[5] I.e. the lower-ranking individuals who could not afford or had no official right to wear silk.

[6] I have seen varying interpretations of this phrase, this seems the most likely to me.

[7] This is a reference to Confucius' observation that "When a country is well governed, poverty and a mean condition are things to be ashamed of. When a country is ill governed, riches and honor are things to be ashamed of."

[8] This is a series of caricatures of the Confucian trope of a virtuous scholar preferring to live in moral poverty rather than benefit from a regime of which he disapproves.