Five Virtues Of The Cock

While serving under the duke Ai of Lu, T'ien Jao, resenting his obscure position, said to his master, "I am going to wander far away like a snow goose."
"What do you mean by that?" inquired the duke. "Do you see the cock?" said T'ien Jao in reply, its crest is a symbol of civility; its powerful talons suggest strength; its daring to fight any enemy denotes courage; its instinct to invite others whenever food is obtained shows benevolence; and last but not least, its punctuality in keeping the time through the night gives us an example of veracity. In spite, however, of these five virtues, the cock is daily killed to fill a dish on your table. Why? The reason is that it is found within our reach. On the other hand, the snow goose traverses in one flight a thousand. Resting in your garden, it preys on your fishes and turtles and pecks your millet. Though devoid of any of the cock's five virtues, yet you prize this bird for the sake of its scarcity. This being so, I shall fly far like a snow goose.
ANCIENT CHINESE PARABLES, YU HSIU SEN, ED.. 1974

MORAL:
Use absence to increase your value, respect and maybe even honor

The story of 'the five virtues of the cock' does not infer in totality that absence is a prerequisite for respect and/or value. In the case of a love affair, absence at the beginning of a relationship will do the exact opposite by causing yourself to be forgotten. At a point where an affair has developed to a certain extent of undiluted love and strong emotions, it is often wise to become scarce as this will not only make hearts grow fonder but also increases value and respect by evoking emotions of abandonment.
Once a person dies, everything about that person will seem different. He/she will be surrounded by an instant aura of respect. People will remember their criticisms of you, their arguments with you, and will be filled with regret and guilt. They start missing that presence that will never return. But you do not have to wait until death comes calling, make yourself scarce by deliberate absence and it's an added advantage if you have a certain talent or skill that will be missed while you're gone.

A man said to a dervish: "Why do i not see you often?" The Dervish replied, "Because the words 'Why have you not been seen by me?' are sweeter to my ear than the words 'Why have you come again?'" (Mulla Jami, quoted in Idries Shah's Caravan of Dreams, 1968)

Absence diminishes minor passions and inflames great ones, as the wind douses a candle and fans a fire (La Rochefoucauld, 1613-1680)