Zeng Guofan on being a person, doing things, serving as an official, the Doctrine of the Mean

Author: Gu Hanyuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: A Heart of Reverence, A Path of Cherishing Blessings
Modern living standards and environments have led many people to increasingly pursue material pleasures, which is not an encouraging trend. In this regard, can we learn something from Zeng Guofan? It should be a moderate mindset that embraces nature, adapts to circumstances, and handles desires appropriately. Excessive demands for fame, wealth, and status inevitably come at a cost. If you cannot calmly accept your fate, and once you overstep your limits beyond your capacity to bear, the one who suffers in the end is yourself. Choosing a proper position with a calm and wise mind allows life to proceed smoothly and enjoyably.
The Doctrine of the Mean is a wise understanding of life. It is closer to the nature of the objective world and the principles by which people should act according to its laws. It enables people to maintain a detached attitude toward fame and fortune while holding a reverent attitude toward fate. Zeng Guofan, amidst the vastness of the universe and all things, perceived the insignificance of humanity. He once said:
"Upon reflection, the past and future span billions of years without end. People live within this vast expanse, yet decades are but fleeting moments. The earth spans tens of thousands of miles, yet it cannot be fully explored. Within it, people rest and play, as if the daytime is a single room and the night is a bed. The ancient texts and modern writings are as vast as the smoke and waves, yet in a lifetime, one can read no more than a drop in the ocean. Things are complex and varied, and there are countless paths to achieve a good name. What one can accomplish in a lifetime is but a grain of sand in the vast ocean. Knowing that the heavens are boundless and life is fleeting, one should endure minor hardships and wait for them to resolve themselves. Knowing the vastness of the earth yet realizing one’s own small place upon it, one should actively step back three feet when it comes to fame and fortune, remaining calm and composed. Knowing that the writings of the past and present are endless yet one’s own understanding is shallow, one should no longer take pride in one’s own views but instead choose the better path and uphold the virtue of humility. Knowing that things are complex and varied yet one’s own deeds are limited, one should not boast of achievements but instead consider promoting talented individuals to accomplish great deeds together."