Thousand Characters

Chapter 14

[Original text]

Don't talk about each other's shortcomings, but rely on your own strengths.The messenger can be answered, but the desire is hard to measure.The ink is sad and the silk is dyed, and the poem praises the lamb.

【Note】

Both "目" and "微" mean not to.Peter: Others.Short: shortcoming, shortcoming.Mo: Refers to Mozi, named Zhai, a native of Lu, the founder of Mohism in the pre-Qin period.sad: sad.Silk: white silk.Dyeing: Dip dyeing.Poetry: "The Book of Songs".Lamb: "Lamb" in the "Book of Songs", this poem praises the white fur of the little lamb, and uses it as a metaphor that the virtue of a gentleman is as pure and flawless as the fur of a lamb.The first four sentences here tell us that if we want to get along well with others, we should not speak ill of others casually, nor should we be arrogant and self-righteous because of our own advantages, but should learn from others' good things with an open mind.

【Interpretation】

Don't just talk about other people's shortcomings and shortcomings, and don't rely on your own strengths and advantages without thinking about progress and being arrogant.What you have said must be done, and it must be able to stand the test of time; in dealing with people, you must be magnanimous, so big that it is difficult to estimate.Mozi felt sad that the white silk was dyed and could not be restored; the "Lamb" in the "Book of Songs" was praised all over the world because it praised the lamb for its always white and flawless.

【allusion】

Song Hong, the official Gao Buqi, married his wife Song Hong, who was born in the Eastern Han Dynasty. He was highly trusted by the emperor. In a short period of time, he was promoted from Taizhong doctor to Da Sikong, and was granted the title of Marquis of Xunyi.As the official became bigger, his salary naturally increased a lot, but he still did not change his habit of thrift and self-discipline, and used all the salary he earned to help his relatives who had no means of living.Song Hong's married wife has been unable to bear children, and his relatives and friends have persuaded him to marry another one, so as not to cut off the fireworks of his ancestors.Song Hong shook his head after hearing the kind persuasion from his relatives and friends, and then told them all the benefits of his wife.Song Hong and his wife were childhood sweethearts and childhood sweethearts. His wife would rather suffer by herself than support Song Hong in his pursuit of fame. How could Song Hong forget all this?He didn't want to do ungrateful things to hurt his wife, and said that people can't love the new and hate the old.At that time, Emperor Guangwu's sister, Princess Huyang, had lost her husband. She didn't want to stay alone in the vacant room, but wanted to find another good husband.Emperor Guangwu had a deep relationship with his sister, and he decided to choose the one he likes for his sister among the ministers of civil and military affairs.Princess Huyang often praised Song Hong in front of the emperor for being both talented and beautiful, and his character was noble and clean, which was unmatched by anyone.Emperor Guangwu guessed her sister's intentions from her words. He chose an auspicious day with beautiful scenery to recruit Song Hong into the palace, and let Princess Huyang listen to Song Hong's words behind the screen.After Song Hong came, Emperor Guangwu didn't ask directly, but asked Song Hong tactfully if he wanted to change his wife.Song Hong heard the meaning of the emperor, so he quoted an ancient saying: "A friend of the poor and humble should not be forgotten, and a wife of dross will never go to court." Those who support should always stay together.In the end, he strongly stated that he despises those villains who like the new and dislike the old after they are rich and powerful, and find new love.After hearing Song Hong's opinion, Emperor Guangwu couldn't open his mouth to propose marriage for Princess Huyang anymore.After listening to Song Hong's thoughts behind the screen, Princess Huyang couldn't help praising him as a real gentleman.During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, there was a famous thinker, statesman and military strategist known as Mozi, the founder of the Mohist School.One day, Mozi went on a study tour outside and passed a dyeing workshop. He saw that the white raw silk was dyed in dyeing vats of various colors. There is no way to restore colored raw silk to its original white color.Seeing this scene, Mozi further thought of human nature, and wept sadly.He said sadly: "Human nature is originally as pure and flawless as this snow-white raw silk, but once it is badly affected by the external environment, it is like this dyed raw silk, and it wants to return to its original state." The original pure and kind nature is no longer possible." From this we can see that in the process of a person's growth, the external environment has a huge impact on our moral character.Therefore, if a person wants to grow up healthily and become a person with both ability and political integrity, the external environment, such as family environment, education environment, and living environment, must not be ignored.

(End of this chapter)