Endure - [100 Bible Verses for Dealing with People and the World] (Illustrated Version)

Author: Zhang Yi / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: 【Practical Examples】Anger Hurts the Body, Anger Ruins the Nation
In the turbulent and ever-changing world, one should possess a flexible mindset and approach, remaining steady as a mountain and calm as still water—only then can one be clear-sighted. Those who are impatient and rash, driven by personal gain, may resort to violence. Unaware that seeking temporary satisfaction will only bring more harm to themselves, they act impulsively. During the Three Kingdoms period, the constant wars between Wei, Shu, and Wu were ongoing. At that time, Wei was the most powerful, with Shu and Wu both focusing on countering Wei. However, after Guan Yu's careless loss of Jingzhou and his subsequent defeat and death at the hands of Wu, Liu Bei flew into a rage. Determined to launch an attack on Eastern Wu, he ignored the counsel of his ministers—a clear case of losing the bigger picture for the sake of a minor grievance. As Zhao Yun had said at the time, the traitor was Cao Cao, not Sun Quan. If Shu were to first eliminate Wei, Wu would naturally submit. Although Cao Cao was already dead, his son Cao Pi had usurped the throne. Taking advantage of the widespread dissatisfaction over this matter, Shu should have launched an attack to seize the Central Plains, rather than ignoring Wei and instead fighting Wu. Once Shu and Wu were at war, the opportunity to attack Wei would be lost. Zhuge Liang also submitted a memorial urging Liu Bei to halt his plans, arguing that Wu had tricked Shu into losing Jingzhou and killing Guan Yu. Guan Yu's death was a major disaster for Shu, a significant loss for the nation, and deeply tragic. However, the downfall of the Han Dynasty was primarily the fault of Cao Cao, not Sun Quan. He believed that if Shu were to first eliminate the Wei regime, Wu would naturally submit. He hoped Liu Bei would heed the ministers' advice, train his troops, and prepare Shu to conquer the world, rather than attacking Wu at this time. But after reading the memorial, Liu Bei threw it to the ground, declaring his decision to attack Wu and ordering his ministers to cease further persuasion. Stubbornly leading his army eastward, he ultimately suffered defeat. This example clearly shows that in critical moments, one must not let anger cloud one's judgment, or else face severe consequences.
【Expert Comment】
The art of enduring anger requires one to be grounded and humble, to remain calm and composed when facing challenges, to think deeply and analyze thoroughly before acting. It warns against being overly ambitious yet underprepared, ending in nothing gained in the end. Those who achieve great success in the world can overcome their (impulsiveness) and (rashness). If one is restless and cannot focus, great achievements will remain out of reach. Lightness, impatience, and sudden impulses benefit neither others nor oneself. While tolerating anger within is not easy, with unwavering perseverance and strong conviction, how could one let fleeting anger overwhelm one's mind?
P6-7