Read history to be a person

Author: Ren Haozhi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: The vicissitudes of life and the changes of fortune have been tested over thousands of years of history, yet the principles of how to conduct oneself and deal with others remain timeless and still applicable to this era of intrigue and uncertainty. On a cold night when the wind is beating against the window, under the soft and warm glow of a lamp, through the faint fragrance of tea swirling gently, the wisdom of the past and present becomes clear in your heart, and you will be unafraid and unconfused.
Being a person is a profound art and an eternal challenge. One must cultivate virtue and integrity to stand firm on the "moral" ground; however, it is not just about "moral" issues—it also requires wisdom and skills to handle relationships harmoniously, manage affairs appropriately, and gain others' recognition. Therefore, being a person is a comprehensive consideration of virtue and intelligence, a perfect unity of the square and the round. This book discusses both the qualities and principles of being a person, such as character, breadth of mind, and insight, as well as the techniques for navigating life, recognizing people, handling matters, and using words appropriately. These principles are not proposed in the air—they come from vivid history and are read with great interest.
"A person without trust cannot stand." Honesty is a fundamental principle in life. The story of "Ji Zha Hanging His Sword" is very famous and illustrates the importance of keeping promises. Ji Zha was a renowned prince of the Wu state during the Spring and Autumn period, known for his virtue and talent, and praised throughout the world. Once, while on a mission to another country, he passed through the state of Xu and met its ruler. During the banquet, the ruler of Xu saw Ji Zha's sword at his waist and admired it greatly. Ji Zha considered that he would still be on missions to other countries and that a sword was an essential item for an envoy, so he could not give it away. At the time, he did not make a statement. When he returned from his mission, he passed through Xu again and wanted to give the sword to the ruler of Xu, but the ruler had already passed away. Ji Zha was deeply regretful and came to the ruler's tomb, hanging the sword on a tree in front of it to fulfill his inner promise.
During the Han Dynasty, there was a man named Chen Shi. He was upright and incorruptible as an official, deeply loved and praised by the people. Later, Chen Shi returned to his hometown, and the local officials and villagers respected him greatly. Once, he met a friend, and after a meal and drink, they decided to go on a long journey together. They agreed to meet again at noon the next day under the large locust tree in front of Chen Shi's house. To express their mutual trust, they also erected a tall tree trunk in front of the locust tree. After this, they bid farewell with a bow. The next day, Chen Shi arrived early at the tree trunk and waited for a while. As the shadow at the base of the trunk gradually shifted eastward, it became clear that noon had passed. At this point, Chen Shi guessed that his friend had either had other matters preventing him from joining or had already left early, so he set off on his journey. However, just as Chen Shi left, his friend arrived. Looking around, he couldn't see Chen Shi and immediately grew angry, insisting on going to his house to find out what was going on. Upon arriving at Chen Shi's home, he saw his eldest son playing outside. Pointing at the locust tree, he scolded Chen Shi, as if talking to himself: "What an inhumane person! He made an appointment to go out but didn't wait for others."
At the time, Chen Shi's eldest son, Chen Ji, who had just turned seven years old and was known for being a kind and thoughtful child, spoke up after his parents' friend finished scolding: "You made an appointment for noon, and not coming at noon is breaking your word. Scolding my father is disrespectful." The friend was immediately ashamed and wanted to get out of the car to explain, but Chen Ji turned and went inside without turning back.
Being a person requires integrity, and business requires integrity. Integrity is an intangible asset that needs to be carefully maintained and gradually accumulated. But if you lack integrity—even just once—you can squander years of hard-earned reputation.