Culture

Impartial and Selfless: Appointing People According to Their Ability

2005-12-16

One time, the Ping King of Jin asked scholar Qi Huangyang, "Nanyang County needs a governor. Who is most capable for that position?" Qi Huangyang answered, "Xie Hu is the most capable." The King asked, "Isn't Xie Hu your enemy?" Qi Huangyang replied, "Your Majesty asked me who is the most capable of being the governor, not who is my enemy." The Ping King exclaimed, "Great." When Xie Hu was appointed the governor of Nanyang County, all the people in Jin highly praised him.

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The Influence of a Ruler Who Cultivates in the Temple Extends for Thousands of Miles

2005-12-15

When Shi Yinchi returned to Chu, the king was about to attack Song. Ambassador Shi said to the king, "We should not attack Song. Their king is wise, and their prime minister is kind. These wise rulers have won the love of their people, and the kind prime minister has the support of talented people. If we attack them, we will fail and the people of the world will laugh at us."

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Su Shi and Contemplation

2005-12-14

There were two pots full of water in the yard. The recluse hermit pointed to one of them: “If this pot had a tiny ant-like hole on its bottom that leaked water, but you poured a litre of water out of the other pot every day. Which pot do you reckon will become empty first?”

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Three Baby Swallows and Mr. Zhou's Three Sons

2005-12-12

"One day I put one of my fingers into the nest, and the baby swallows tried to eat my finger. I took three large thorny seeds and gave each baby swallow a thorny seed. They died shortly afterwards. When the mother swallow returned and saw her dead babies, she wailed sadly and flew away. To this day, every time I think of it, I still regret killing the three baby swallows."

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Remember Others' Merits and Forget Their Shortcomings

2005-12-10

Duke Huan of Qi said, "It is not true. If he were investigated, I am afraid that people would talk about his small imperfections, and we would overlook his talent and virtue. This is precisely why some kings cannot keep the world's talented people. Furthermore, no one is perfect. We should consider his merits more." He immediately ordered Guan Zhong, the Prime Minister of Qi, to welcome Ning Qi and appoint him as a minister. Ning Qi did not disappoint anyone and demonstrated his many skills

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No Matter How You Try, Heaven Controls the Outcome

2005-12-09

"If we progress one foot, that is our own one foot; if we progress one inch, that is our own one inch. If we accumulate one bit of virtue, it is equal to accumulating one pound of grain; if we progress by studying one bit tomorrow, it is equal to saving one penny. When we increase both virtue and study, then our family can become more prosperous day by day."

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High-Ranking Officials Stand on the Shoulders of Low-Ranking Officials, Mountains Stand on the Ground

2005-12-08

All of King Xuan's guards blamed Yan Chu. "The king rules a nation. You, Yan Chu, are just a subject of the kingdom. The king asked you to come over, and then you asked the king to come over. What kind of behaviour is this?" Yan Chu said, "If I go there, I am greedy for power. However, if the king comes here, he treats a gentleman scholar courteously. It is better to let our king obtain the fame of treating a gentleman courteously, rather than to let me suffer the reputation of currying favour with powerful people."

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Exchanging Good for Evil Melts Away Hatred

2005-12-07

After his father died, his stepmother stashed away her husband's money for herself and gave it all to her own son. Furthermore, she gave all the good farmland to her own son and left only a small lot of infertile land to Wu Zitian, who was very angry and argued with his stepbrother. His wife, Sun, again persuaded him not to offend his stepmother over the uneven division of their inherited property.

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Ancient Perspectives on Immunity and the Cause of Sickness

2005-12-06

Zhang Tingyu from the Qing Dynasty (1616-1911 A.D.) once said, "Everything in the world is the result of destiny. No one can escape his destiny. Each man has a predetermined lifespan and medicine cannot alter anyone's lifespan." Why did Zhang Tingyu make such a comment? Here's the story:

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Eliminating Serious Problems When They First Appear

2005-12-05

Fang Xiaoru was an eminent scholar of Song dynasty neo-Confucianism, and a writer in the early Ming dynasty. He was very knowledgeable and talented. In the era of Hongwu, he served as tutor for the crown prince. Later he was summoned to the Inner Court as academic adviser to the Emperor. Fang Xiaoru wrote a famous article titled, "Zhi Yu" to explain, "in worldly matters, minor things can develop into major calamities," which uses illness as an analogy in cautioning people to prevent serious problems before they occur.

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Being Respectful, Gentle and Agreeable Is the Most Important Rite and Duty for Woman

2005-12-03

She stated in Women’s Precepts that, the characters of yin and yang are different, and therefore man and woman’s behaviour should be different too. Yang is characterised with strength, and yin is symbolised with delicacy. Therefore, while a man is honoured for being strong and healthy, and woman is considered beautiful for being gentle and delicate.

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

2005-12-02

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.

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Respecting a Person with High Virtue Keeps the Enemy Away

2005-11-29

Wenhou's footman asked him, "Why do you salute?" Wenhou answered, "Isn't this Duan Ganmu's house? Mr. Duan Ganmu is a highly virtuous person, how can I dare not salute him?" He also commented, "Mr. Duan Ganmu's glory is earned by his virtue, but my glory is earned by owning a large amount of land; Mr. Duan Ganmu has integrity, and I only have wealth. Owning land cannot compare to owning virtue; wealth cannot be compared with integrity, so I should pay him respect."

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A Change in Mind, A Change In Fate

2005-11-28

On that day, the lazy man who had never done any honest work before suddenly had an impulse to do something. When everyone ran back home from the field, he did the opposite. He took a hoe and told everyone that he wanted to see the field. His family thought that his action was very strange. His family urged him to stay at home, saying it was too dangerous. He didn't listen, so his family cursed at him, saying, "Then go and let the lightning kill you!"

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Flattery Should Not Be Believed

2005-11-27

Xianzhang came in. Qijinggong said to him, "Xianzhang, since we lost Yanzi 17 years ago, no one has pointed out my shortcomings and mistakes. My arrow did not hit the target today, but every single one of my senior officials praised me." Xianzhang answered, "Your senior officials do not have the courage to admonish you. I have heard it said that, 'Ministers like to wear what the king wears and eat what the king eats.' Do you like to hear flattering words?"

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