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Why did Zhuangzi advise diplomats to convey messages truthfully?

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Taking prisoners — diplomacy A larger-than-life Ramses II towering over his prisoners and clutching them by the hair. Limestone bas-relief from Memphis, Egypt, 1290–24 bce; in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo.

Zhuangzi advised diplomats to convey messages truthfully primarily to preserve mutual trust and ensure their own safety. In the context of international relations during the Warring States period, he observed that diplomats faced a constant temptation to distort messages: they might exaggerate positive news with flattery or make unpleasant news more biting to provoke anger.1

Zhuangzi warned that if a messenger yields to these tendencies, the truth is lost. The consequences of this loss are twofold:
* Erosion of Trust: If the truth is compromised, mutual confidence between states—which is essential for distant relations—cannot be established or maintained.1
* Personal Peril: If mutual trust fails, the messenger themselves may be placed in danger.1

Consequently, he proposed a wise rule for those in diplomacy: always speak the truth and never embellish it. By adhering to this standard, diplomats could avoid unnecessary harm to themselves and foster more stable interactions between states.1