Zizhang asked Man Goude,

“Why do you not follow the virtuous path?

Unless you follow such a path
you will not be believed in
you will not be appointed to office,
you will not acquire gain.

Therefore, whether you consider it
from the standpoint of reputation or gain,
righteousness is the right action.

If you repudiate
the thought of reputation and gain
and reflect upon this in your own mind,
you will recognize that a scholar
should not let a single day pass
without following the righteous path.

Man Goude replied,
   “One who is without shame
   becomes wealthy;
   one in whom the multitude believes
   wins renown.

   Then it would seem that
   the greatest reputation and gain
   come from being without shame
   and being believed in.

   If you regard this from the standpoint
   of reputation or gain then
   to be believed in is the right thing.

   If you discard the thought of reputation or gain
   and reflect upon this,
   you will recognize that a scholar
   who adheres to his nature endowed by heaven
   gains nothing.

Zhuangzi trans. by Hyun Höchsmann and Yang Guorong, Book 28 Robber Zhi

With four chapters remaining in the Zhuangzi, this chapter addresses the lifestyle of ethical egoism. A definition of this scale of values offered by AI is:

The ethical theory positing that individuals should always act in their own best self-interest. It holds that an action is morally right if it maximizes one’s own long-term benefits, regardless of the impact on others, often prioritizing personal gain as the ultimate goal of morality.

This hierarchy of values is nearest to us, and the most familiar. Were not we ethical egoists in our infancy? Any discomfort whatsoever triggered a wail of frustration, and if not satisfied by external attention, the volume and pitch registered anger. I can remember being in a restaurant when a very unhappy small child was nearby. The sound of ethical egoism in a pure form. A stage in the maturation of all of us.

However, as observed fact ethical egoism in various forms is the default lifestyle of many Americans. So is there a point to being conventionally “good”, the good citizen, pursuing the “American Dream,” – if this does not pay? Zizhang maintains to his conversation partner, that decency ought to pay, otherwise why bother? One directly benefits from a good reputation, your neighbors attend to your words, and you are never discounted as being someone who lies. With practiced skill at small talk, accommodating the expectations of my peers, – doors will open, opportunities will come my way. In  short, – it pays to be moral,  according to the ethical egoist. What pays is moral. Morality pays.

Oh yeah responds Man Goude, “I’ll raise you.” And he pushes his pile of coins forward…

No need to worry about reputation. Your peers desire to believe, they are gullible. Be shameless! Shame is weakness. Show no shame in your dealings: you will be admired far and wide. Moreover the Return On Investment, is sure to be maximum. Nothing need be “left on the table” due to keeping up appearances.

Just think about it! The mindful, scholarly man/woman with focus upon nature’s gift’s and arts, — why they come away with nothing.

Thus was summed up the morals of Man Goude.