Maxims for Conducting Oneself

Author: Joe Coulombe
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-10-01
Features: This book discusses the evil in human nature, which may surprise you, but also talks about the goodness in human nature, to help us understand our world from both sides. China's rise has earned applause from good people across the country, but also drawn the bullets of malice. They raise the banner of the "China Threat Theory" – what do they actually want to achieve? – China's rise has hindered their long claws from extending overseas to plunder interests in East Asia and obstructed their ambition to dominate the world. They either viciously slander China in international opinion or exploit China's internal divisions and economic underdevelopment, inciting some "elites" to promote separatism, or disguised as "helping China's reform and opening-up," taking advantage of China's complex situation and the still unclear understanding of its people, to introduce some seemingly reasonable but actually harmful reform theories into China. Their purpose is to destroy China's unity and hinder its prosperity. Unfortunately, many Chinese people fail to recognize the truth or falsehood of these actions, intentionally or unintentionally becoming accomplices to those people. Loyal to the country is an ancient virtue, but it also requires the right tools. Beyond self-reliance and self-strengthening, what else do we need? The ability to discern truth from falsehood and right from wrong. This book cannot help the Chinese fulfill this great mission, but it can help people establish the integrity of being honest and doing the right thing, while reminding good people not to forget the dialectical relationship between good and evil. It is important to act, but also to know how to present oneself. Do not overuse the kindness others have shown you. Do not show others your unfinished work. Do not appear smarter than your superiors. Focus on cultivating your character, and fame will naturally follow. If you have more enemies than friends, it is absolutely because you have taken advantage of them. The proper way to talk about others is to praise only their virtues. If it is not your job, but you do it anyway, it may become your opportunity. Do what makes you earn praise. When you are in luck, prepare for bad luck.