Volume 1 of Knowledge. Original].
A gentleman is born in the world, and he can do what he can, not what he can't do.
Courage and heart, although weak but also strong.
If you are a friend, you will be broken; Those who benefit their friends will be scattered.
Translation] Gentlemen live in the world, do what they can do and what is in accordance with the law and morality, and do not do what they cannot do and deviate from the right path.
Courageous and mentally upright, even if you are in a weak position now, you can become strong in the near future.
Friends made because the other party has power, once the other party loses power, the friendship will be severed; Because the other party can help themselves in terms of interests, the friendship will also drift away with the wind once the interests are lost.
Comments] The vicissitudes of the world, life is changeable, ups and downs, and it is difficult to predict. The magnates of yesterday may well be commoners today; Huge wealth can also be impoverished overnight ......In a commodity society, this phenomenon is not uncommon. The situation of the downtrodden varies, some are due to political reasons, some are due to ideological morality, and some are frustrated at work. Whether it is a subjective reason or an objective reason, for the down-and-out, in the face of sudden and drastic changes in status, many people will be ashamed of themselves and feel that they have no face to see others, and some people will become more sensitive because of this, and their attitudes towards others are often extremely concerned.
During the Spring and Autumn Period, Guan Zhong of Qi and Uncle Bao became friends. Guan Zhong's family was very poor when he was young, and he had an old mother to support, so Uncle Bao found out about it and asked Guan Zhong to do business together. Uncle Bao always paid more for the capital and less for the profit, but as a result, Uncle Bao's servants began to fight for the master, and said a few bad words about Guan Zhong, and Uncle Bao reminded him that he was not allowed to say so. The two went out to fight together, Guan Zhong was always the last when attacking, but he was always the first to retreat, others said that Guan Zhong was greedy for life and afraid of death, but Uncle Bao stood up to defend him, saying that he still had an old mother to take care of at home, and he couldn't just throw away his life. Guan Zhong was captured because his assistant Gongzi was defeated in the political struggle, but Bao Shuya became the victorious party in this political struggle and was entrusted with important tasks, but he finally gave up his official position, recommended Guan Zhong's talents to the king, and was willing to be his subordinate. Guan Zhong couldn't help but praise: "It was my parents who gave birth to me, but the person who knows me best is Uncle Bao!" ”
The friendship between Guan Zhong and Uncle Bao has been praised from generation to generation, and the idiom "Guan Bao's friends" is also derived from this.
Everyone's life is not smooth sailing, there are always times when they are down, and this happens to be a test for the people around them, especially for friends. Some people may never know the same way, and those who sympathize with and help them tide over the difficulties may become world friends.
The so-called friends who are not against the odds and friends in trouble are often embodied in difficult times. The friendships formed at this time are also the most valuable and cherished.
Original text] Gentleman despises the flattering person. Why is there less profit than profit? The need for it is also.
The outline is clear, and the essentials are followed. Everyone in the world knows that taking is taking, and they don't know what they are taking.
Translation] People who like flattery, gentlemen look down on them. But why do these people use some benefits and possessions to reduce their hardships on the road? This is because these are what everyone needs.
Grasp the general rope of the net, the net can be opened naturally, grasp the root of things, and the trivial problems will be naturally obeyed. Everyone in the world knows that receiving something from others is "acquisition", but few people know that giving something to others is also a kind of "acquisition".
Comments] Everyone has the nature of profit-seeking, you give others a little more, let others benefit, you can gain his favor, so that he can maximize the enthusiasm of mobilization, in turn promote your career more and more prosperous.
To be a person in business, it is better to have one more friend than one more enemy. Know how to give others some benefits, gain people's hearts for yourself, and win good popularity, so that when the road is not smooth in the future, you will not be defeated by others, and you may get unexpected help if you are lucky.
Meng Weijun has 3,000 diners, and his reputation is spread all over the world, and Feng Tan is an ordinary diner under his door.
Once, Feng Tan went to Meng Weijun's fiefdom Xue to collect debts.
Before leaving, he asked Meng Weijun: "What will you buy back after collecting your debts?" ”
Meng Weijun said very casually: "You can buy what my family lacks if you see it!" ”
When he arrived in Xue Di, Feng Tan not only did not urge the people to repay their debts, but also burned all the bonds he brought in the name of Meng Weijun. The common people are all grateful to Meng Weijun.
Feng Tan returned empty-handed, and he replied to Meng Weijun to buy "righteousness" for him. Although Meng Weijun was very dissatisfied, he couldn't say anything for the sake of face. Subsequently, Meng Weijun was dismissed from office and had to return to the fiefdom Xue. The people of Xue Di helped the old and the young to greet them, and Meng Weijun realized Feng Tan's foresight.
Feng Tan said to Meng Weijun again: "The cunning rabbit has three caves, and you have this cave, my lord, you can't sit back and relax, I have to prepare two more caves for you." ”
Feng Tan went to Wei to lobby and told King Wei Hui that the reason why Qi was able to dominate the world was because of Meng Yanjun's assistance, and now that Meng Shanjun was exiled because of slander, he would definitely be dissatisfied with King Qi. Whoever gets him first will be able to make the country rich and strong, and dominate the world. At that time, Meng Yanjun had a high prestige among the nations, and King Wei Hui immediately vacated the phase and sent an envoy with a thousand gold and a hundred cars to hire Meng Yanjun as the prime minister.
The envoys of Wei ran back and forth three times, and Meng Weijun resolutely resigned according to Feng Tan's strategy. When King Qi Min heard about this, he was afraid that Meng Yanjun would be used by other countries and would be detrimental to him, so he hurriedly humbly invited Meng Yanjun back.
Feng Tan also gave him an idea that King Min of Qi had to build a temple in Xuecheng with the sacrificial vessels handed down by the previous king, so that Meng Weijun's political position could be further consolidated. After the temple was completed, Feng Tan said to Meng Weijun: The three caves have been built, you can sit back and relax. Meng Weijun, who was originally down, finally became more stable in his political position because of Feng Tan's strategy.
Feng Tan won the hearts of the people for Meng Weijun by burning the city's righteousness; In order to improve the status of Meng Shanjun, he persuaded Wei to hire Meng Shanjun and forced the King of Qi to restore Meng Yanjun's phase; Find ways to establish a temple in Xue to further consolidate Meng Weijun's political position. Feng Tan used his foresight and political strategy to build the "three caves" for Meng Weijun, and his means can be described as very clever. Although his foresight is out of the need for political struggle, the fundamental reason lies in the "rabbit" - Meng Weijun. Compared with the king of Qi, everyone is vulnerable, and in the face of all possible dangers, convenience and mutually beneficial cooperation with others is the most fundamental way to survive.
Learning to give at the right time is to leave a way out for yourself when the crisis comes, so that you have the opportunity to save the day.
Original text] is full of gold and jade, and I don't know how expensive it is for a long time; Lan Hui is full of courts, and she doesn't smell its fragrance for a long time. Therefore, fresh and happy, familiar and disgusting, the gentleman quit it.
Translation] The whole well-furnished hall is filled with gold and jade, and after a long time I don't feel how precious they are; Orchids and grasses grow all over the courtyard, and you can't smell the flowers after smelling them for a long time. Therefore, new things make people happy, and familiar things make people disgusted, and a gentleman should take warning.
Comments] After Liu Bang pacified the world and became the emperor, he abolished the etiquette of the Qin Dynasty and strived to be simple. At that time, the ministers often behaved rudely in the court, drinking and arguing, making noise when drunk, and even drawing swords and striking pillars, without any etiquette. Han Gaozu gradually became dissatisfied with this situation, and his uncle and grandson suggested to Han Gaozu that court etiquette be formulated, and Han Gaozu agreed. Shusun Tong was a doctor of the Qin Dynasty, and he went to the hometown of Lu to recruit about 30 Confucian scholars to Chang'an to help formulate and practice court etiquette. More than a month later, Shusun Tong invited Han Gaozu to watch the ceremony.
At dawn, the worshippers are bowed, and the visitors enter the temple gate in turn. The palace is equipped with chariots, cavalry, foot guards, weapons, flags, etc. Meritorious men, princes, generals, and other officers lined up in the west and stood in the east; The civil servants lined up in the east and stood in the west, from the prime minister down. Daxing announced the guests to the palace according to the level of the title. So the emperor went out of the house, and hundreds of officials held banners and sent the police, leading the princes and kings down to the officials who received a salary of 600 stones. At this time, from the princes and kings down, everyone was in awe. After the ceremony was completed, the reception began, and the palace attendants sat on the hall, all bowed down, and the guests toasted in turn. After Jiuzhen drunk, the confessor announced a boycott of drinking. Goshi enforced the law in the field, and when he saw someone who did not follow the etiquette, he immediately took him away. No one dared to make a noise during the whole reception.
Han Gaozu was very satisfied with this court meeting, and said happily: "I only know the dignity of the emperor today!" He appointed his uncle and grandson as Taichang and rewarded him with **500 catties. The Confucian students who entered Beijing with their uncles and grandsons were named Lang by the Han Gaozu, and the uncles and grandsons gave all the rewards to the Confucian students who accompanied them.
When fighting the world, they don't distinguish between you and me, and eat meat and drink wine together. When he sits in the world, the title of the monarch and the minister will also come out. The reason for the cumbersome court etiquette is to exalt the emperor to the supreme position, to distance himself from his former friends and today's courtiers, and to increase the mystery of the Son of Heaven, which is very beneficial to management.
As a leader, it is necessary to keep a distance from your subordinates. After all, everyone in reality wears a mask, and no one can figure out what kind of expression is hidden behind each mask. However, the functions of the mask are nothing more than two: concealment and deception. At the same time, because the position of the leader is the focus of competition in the real society, in a society of competition for survival, to survive must first protect yourself, and if you don't know how to hide, it is difficult to see through, and you can't win in the competition, let alone protect yourself.
Original text] Humble gentleman, humble to self-shepherd; If you are good at cutting down, you will be troubled. One is expensive and one is cheap, but it knows the state of the world; One death and one life is friendship. Those who indulge in lust are the foundation of all evil; Those who have few desires are the foundation of all good.
Translation] Those cultivated gentlemen always use a humble attitude to achieve their pursuits; Arrogance, boasting, and dictating oneself will invite disaster. Once rich and once poor, only those who have experienced these two can truly understand what it means to be in the hot and cold world; Only those who cross the line of life and death can understand the depth of friendship between relatives and friends. Indulging one's own desires is the root of all **; A pure heart and few desires are the foundation of all goodness.
Comments] There is no perfect person in the world, and each of us should know ourselves correctly, not only to recognize our own strengths and strengths, but also to understand our weaknesses and weaknesses. As the saying goes: humility makes people progress, pride makes people backward. People who remain humble often achieve success, while proud people always suffer from their conceit.
Humility is the secret of a successful person, and it is also a beautiful quality of a successful person. Even if you have a good academic record and excellent work performance, you should maintain a humble and low-key attitude. Everyone has their own weaknesses, and even the smartest people are no exception; No matter how stupid people are, there will be something we need to learn. Therefore, everyone should have a low-key and humble heart, only humble people will continue to improve, work hard, and improve themselves in this way.
Mei Lanfang is a famous Peking Opera master in China, he not only has deep attainments in the art of Peking Opera, but also is a master of painting. He once worshipped the famous painter Qi Baishi as his teacher, and every time he came to the door, he paid a lot of courtesy, humbly asked for advice, and often grinded ink and paper for Qi Baishi, and was not proud of his status in the Peking Opera industry at all.
Once, Qi Baishi and Mei Lanfang went to a friend's house as a guest. Qi Baishi arrived first, he was wearing cloth clothes and shoes, while the other guests were in suits and leather shoes or robes and horse coats, so Qi Baishi looked a little shabby and unnoticed. After a while, Mei Lanfang also arrived, and the host went out very happily to greet him, and the rest of the guests also flocked to him and shook hands with him. Mei Lanfang knew that Qi Baishi was also coming to the banquet, so she looked around to find his teacher. Suddenly, he saw Qi Baishi, who was left out by everyone, so he let go of the hand stretched out by others, squeezed out the crowd and respectfully called Qi Baishi "Teacher", greeting him. The people present were very surprised to see this situation, and Qi Baishi was also deeply moved, and a few days later, he gave Mei Lanfang a special gift of "Charcoal in the Snow", and inscribed a poem: "I have seen the first dynasty to enjoy peace, cloth and vegetables and food to move the minister." Now it has fallen into Chang'an City, fortunately, Mei Lang knows his name. ”
Mei Lanfang not only worshiped Qi Baishi as his teacher, he also used ordinary people as his teacher.
Once, when he was performing the Peking Opera "Killing Pity", in the midst of many cheers, he heard an elderly audience member say "not good". After the play, Mei Lanfang didn't have time to remove her makeup and change clothes, so she took the old man to her home in a special car, and then said to the old man respectfully: "The person who says I'm bad is my teacher." The gentleman said that I was not good, and that I would have a high opinion, and I would ask for advice, and the student was determined to make amends. The old man then said: "Yan Po cherishes the steps of going upstairs and downstairs, according to the rules of the pear garden, it should be seven up and eight down, but why are you eight up and eight down?" Mei Lanfang suddenly realized when she heard this, and even thanked her. Since then, Mei Lanfang often invited the old gentleman to watch the play, asked him to correct him, and respectfully called him "teacher".
As the saying goes, "full of losses, humble benefits", complacent people will attract damage, and modest people will benefit. It tells people that pride and complacency are harmful to themselves and others, and that modesty and prudence are beneficial to others and to themselves.