Differences that Matter
348. Understanding others is wisdom. Understanding ourselves is enlightenment. To conquer others is power; to conquer ourselves is deemed formidable. One who knows contentment is wealthy; one who strives to perform kind deeds is purposeful. One who acts according to his innate kindness shall prevail. The physical self may die but the spiritual self lives on, and that is true longevity.
Scroll 34: Laozi
349. Our hearing is impaired if we cannot distinguish the melody produced by the five tones, and our vision is blurred if our eyes cannot distinguish the five colors. We are said to be stubborn if our mind refuses to follow the code of virtuous conduct. We are deemed a liar if we do not speak trustworthy words.
Scroll 4: Chun Qiu Zuo Shi Zhuan, Vol. 1
350. To practice what is kind is to attain a state of inner calmness, submiting to the innate kindness that lies within us, and complying with outer circumstances without resorting to acts of arrogance. Doing what is unkind is to be reckless and filled with endless desires.
Scroll 41: Huai Nan Zi
351. Those who see the selfish motives of others and correct them with the right frame of mind are upright individuals. Those who compromise virtues to please the selfish motives of others are treacherous flatterers. If rulers could figure out what the people are thinking, they would be able to discriminate between upright and treacherous men.
Scroll 49: Fu Zi
352. Things that look alike can fool a ruler. Matters that appear no different from one another can fool the public. A haughty individual may appear wise but in fact he is not. A naive person may look kind and compassionate but in fact he is not. A reckless person may look courageous but in fact he is not.
Scroll 41: Huai Nan Zi
353. Things that look similar can often confuse one’s judgment. What a jade craftsman usually worries about is that he might mistake stones that look like jade to be genuine jade, while what wise rulers worry about is that they might mistake an officer who appears knowledgeable and eloquent to be someone skillful in governing. A ruler who brings his country to ruin may look wise, while ministers who ruin a country may look honest and faithful. These similarities might confuse unwise people but not the sages who would remain watchful over them.
Scroll 39: Lü Shi Chun Qiu
354. It is not easy to clarify a strategic plan that has profound wisdom, and it is also difficult to foresee the long-term effects of something beneficial. Thus, long-term benefits that are hard to clarify are often ignored.
Scroll 47: Liu Yi Zheng Lun
355. “I observed the behavior of his officials and found that they were cruel and brutal. They violated the legal procedures and imposed punishments indiscriminately. If the rulers and ministers remain oblivious to this madness, it is time for this administration to come to an end. As rulers are greedy for material wealth and officials are greedy for profits, men of virtues will go into hiding. This phenomenon signifies that the country will soon be overcome by chaos and disorder.”
Scroll 31: Liu Tao