Humility
141. Those who think they are perfect are in fact inadequate. Those who think they are intelligent are in fact mediocre. While the sun and the moon may be bright, they cannot light up every dark corner of the world for they are too high up in the sky. The glow of a candle may be weak, but it can light up any dark corner beyond the reach of the sun and the moon, for the source of glow is close to the ground.
Scroll 47: Liu Yi Zheng Lun
142. Confucius said: “He contributes assiduously but does not boast of it; he achieves merits but takes no credit from it. This is honest and sincerity at the greatest height. It means that a man of noble character (Junzi) has achieved great merit yet places himself below others.”
Scroll 1: Zhou Yi
143. Zilu drew near and asked Confucius: “Dear Teacher, may I ask if there is a method of holding something full without spilling it?” Confucius said: “While he is intelligent and wise, he appears to be slow-witted. While he has surpassed the world in his contributions, he is forbearing and non-confrontational. While his bravery is strong enough to astound the world, he remains careful and vigilant. While he owns a world of wealth, he remains respectful and humble. This is what the ancients described as the Way of Great Humility!”
Scroll 10: Kong Zi Jia Yu
144. He who has made great contributions but remains humble and modest will win the support of many people. He who is proud and arrogant will lose the support of many people. The increase in pledges of allegiance is a good sign, but the increasing rate of abandonment is a sign of danger.
Scroll 50: Bao Pu Zi
145. A leader understands his noble status and expertise, and keeps a very low profile while performing his duties. Thus, he has everyone readily pledging their allegiance to him, just like a huge valley that could contain hund of streams.
Scroll 34: Laozi
146. If a man cultivates virtues and treats others respectfully, will anyone refuse to follow him? If a person with noble status accepts and heeds the advice of others, will any worthy man refuse to serve under him?
Scroll 31: Liu Tao
147. If a man can retreat instead of advancing; forebearing instead of demanding; keeping a weak image instead of a strong one; then he is actually practicing the heavenly way, which “takes away the surplus and replenishes it to the insufficient.” Everything existing according to the law of nature would be lasting and is rarely unsuccessful.
Scroll 26: Wei Zhi, Vol. 2
148. In cultivating self-respect and self-esteem, a man of nobility should keep a low profile and respect people of inferior status as a way to humble oneself instead of being boastful and arrogant. Arrogance is a corrupt custom and a serious social illness that erodes moral values. Is this not lamentable when everyone likes to be boastful? How sad indeed!
Scroll 50: Bao Pu Zi
149. A virtuous ruler will not despise others. If he despises his officials, they will not serve him wholeheartedly; if he despises his people they will not render support to him.
Scroll 2: Shang Shu
150. He who seeks the virtuous as his teacher will win the throne one day. He who assumes no one else can be better than him will meet his downfall. By being humble and keen to learn, a person’s wisdom grows. By being conceited, a person will become narrow-minded.
Scroll 2: Shang Shu
151. An intelligent and witty man should carry with him a dull image. A learned and eloquent man should carry with him a soft-spoken image. A valiant and firm man should carry with him a timid image. A rich landlord should carry with him a meager image. A man who contributed to the good of mankind should carry with him a modest approach. These five factors contributed greatly to the stability of ancient kingdoms under wise rulership.
Scroll 35: Wen Zi