The Art of Human Calculation: Calculation is the Greatest Capital in Life

Author: Zhao Wenming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2010-05-31
Features: Do not become arrogant in triumph when fortune smiles; do not let joy turn into sorrow. You must strive even harder to achieve greater growth. During the American Civil War, Union General Ulysses S. Grant and Confederate General Robert E. Lee clashed in battle. After an unprecedentedly fierce and bloody fight, the Confederate forces were utterly defeated and scattered, with Lee General being sent to Fortress Monroe for trial and signing the surrender agreement. After Grant General's great victory, he did not act arrogantly or look down upon others. He humbly said, "General Lee is a person worthy of our respect. Although he was defeated and captured, his demeanor remained remarkably calm. Compared to his six-foot height, I, a short man, seemed quite inferior. He still wore a brand-new, complete military uniform, with a valuable sword bestowed upon him by the government at his waist; whereas I only wore a common soldier's uniform, with only one stripe representing my rank of brigadier general."
Perhaps you think that Grant General's humility is indeed commendable, and that Lee General, despite being a defeated general, still stood tall and dressed neatly, which might seem a bit arrogant. In reality, it is not so. Although Lee General was defeated, he could still endure the humiliation with composure, which is a testament to his bravery and determination. His actions showed that he regarded failure as an experience rather than a disgrace. If he had been given another chance, he would have fought bravely again to seek glory. Therefore, he can also be said to possess the demeanor of a great military leader.
Grant General not only praised Lee General's attitude but also did not belittle his achievements. He believed that his own success and Lee General's failure were both due to sheer chance. He said, "This victory or defeat was determined by extremely fortuitous circumstances. The enemy army in Virginia almost every day encountered rainy weather, forcing them to fight in mud. On the other hand, our army always encountered good weather wherever we went, making our march exceptionally smooth. Moreover, in many places, it would often rain a day or two after we had left. Was this not good fortune?"
These modest words, when heard by others, were far better than countless self-praises. Only those who doubt their own achievements love to boast in front of others to conceal their shortcomings. A truly wise person does not need to boast or show off, because others will see and remember your accomplishments and successes more clearly than you do.
Grant General attributed a great victory that decided the fate of the war to weather and destiny, which shows that he had full self-awareness and never let the desire for fame and fortune cloud his judgment. As someone once said, "The more someone dislikes receiving praise, the more it shows they know their success is insignificant."
Those who have read the story of the Trojan War, "The Trojan Horse," will remember how Troy was destroyed. The Trojans fought against the invading Greek alliance, with both sides experiencing victories and defeats. Later, someone in the alliance proposed a plan to pretend to withdraw entirely, leaving a large wooden horse and hiding brave warriors inside it, while the main force hid nearby. The Trojans saw the fleet receding,