Be Prepared to Correct One's Shortcomings by Humbly Accepting Criticism

During the historical Spring and Autumn Periods, Song's monarch, Song Zhaogong, was exiled by his own subjects. As a fugitive, before reaching the frontier, he sighed deeply and said, "Oh, I know now why I became a fugitive. I had thousands of royal courtiers at my service, during my reign. None of them would ever say I was not sagacious. I had several hundred attendants, and they all relied on me for their positions. None of them would ever dare to say I was not good at all. From inside and outside, I could not hear any of my mistakes and shortcomings. This was the reason why I ended in this disastrous situation. I really deserved the punishment." Song Zhaogong thereupon decided to repent and reform his past errors and mistakes. After two years of repentance and continued moral administration reform studies, his subjects welcomed and restored him back to the throne. He left behind a legacy of peace and prosperity among his subjects as a virtuous king. After his death, he was conferred the title of Zhao Gong.

This historical incident was recorded in The New Book and foreword of Liu Xiang Xin. In the book War National Policy there was a similar story of King Zou Jifeng of Qi Kingdom who was receptive to admonition.

At that time, there was a person named Zou Ji in Qi Kingdom. He had a handsome countenance and a beautiful body. He was over eight feet tall. One day he put on the special court dress clothes, and while facing the mirror, he spoke to his wife: "Comparing myself with Xu Gong at the north end of the city, who is more handsome?" His wife responded, "You are. How can Xu Gong compare with you?"

In Qi Country, Xu Gong from the north end of town was very famous for his appearance. Zou Ji lost his self-confidence. Enviably he asked his wife again, "Comparing myself with Xu Gong, who is more handsome?" His wife replied, "how can Xu Gong be comparable to you?"

The next day, a visitor came to see him. After they sat down, Zou Ji asked his guest, "Comparing myself with Xu Gong at the north end of the city, who is more good-looking?" The guest replied: "Xu Gong is inferior to you."

The day after that, Xu Gong came to visit Zou Ji, so Zou Ji took the opportunity to compare himself with Xu Gong. Carefully he examined himself in front of the mirror, and he realised Xu Gong was better looking than him. There was no match with him. At night while sleeping, finally the truth dawned on him. He realised that his wife said that he was better looking than Xu Gong, because she loved him and because she was afraid of him. His guest had said that he was more handsome because he wished to seek something from him.

Zou Ji thereupon went to the palace to see King Qi Weiwang and convey his understanding from the episode that took place. He admitted to the king that he knew he was inferior in looks when compared with Zou Ji from the north-end of town and yet his wife kept saying that he was more handsome. He realised his wife said it because she loved him and also because she feared him. His guest said the same thing to please him because he wanted something from him. Comparing the episode with Qi Country's national situation, the king governed a vast area of land, a hundred and twenty cities and fortresses. Left, right and centre, his female royal-subjects wouldn't say that they didn't love their king. Among his ministers that provided counselling, the entire ministries were afraid of their king. Within the boundaries that the king governed, no one did not have the intention to seek something from the king. From this he concluded that the king was being kept from the truth.

King Qi Weiwang then said, "Excellent." Thereupon the king issued an order requesting his ministers and royal subjects to point out the king's errors publicly and openly, with a reward for receiving the first prize. Those who submitted a written statement to inform him of his mistakes would receive the middle prize, and those who could openly discuss the errors in public places to let the king know about the problem would receive the third prize."

Immediately after this proclamation was made, the whole body of ministers admonished the emperor, and the royal court bustled with activity. After several months, by chance a few admonishments were received. After a year, even though everyone wanted to criticise the king, there was almost nothing to say. When the neighbouring states like Yan Guo, Zhao Guo, Han Guo and Wei Guo came to know about this, they all came to pay their tribute to the emperor. This was what people said in the past. Without dispatching any troops, the country had defeated other countries through successful royal court administration and governance.

On the issue concerning governing a country, Song Zhaogong's throne was regained when lost, Qi's kingdom could strive for hegemony among the feudal loads to become a dominant power, and all this was related to their openness and receptiveness to others admonitions about their mistakes, weaknesses and errors, and their sincerity to eliminate them. These were inseparable.

On the issue concerning the practise of moral culture, one must be careful when receiving words of praise and commendation from others. One must not automatically accept praise to be happy and become self-satisfied. On the contrary, one must be prepared and happy to hear the criticism and suggestions of others, recognising the ancient saying to "be glad to have errors pointed out." If others can help point out one's mistakes and errors, and the process can help remedy future errors and losses, one should certainly feel honoured by it.

October 26, 2005