During the civil wars in feudal Japan, an invading army would quickly sweep
into a town and take control. In one particular village, everyone fled just
before the army arrived - everyone except the Zen master. Curious about this
old fellow, the general went to the temple to see for himself what kind of man
this master was. When he wasn't treated with the deference and submissiveness
to which he was accustomed, the general burst into anger. "You fool,"
he shouted as he reached for his sword, "don't you realize you are standing
before a man who could run you through without blinking an eye!" But despite
the threat, the master seemed unmoved. "And do you realize," the master
replied calmly, "that you are standing before a man who can be run through
without blinking an eye?"
(other versions of this story then describe how the general, surprised and awed by the master, sheepishly leaves)