Home Categories Chinese history Yi Zhongtian History of China 06·A hundred schools of thought contend

Chapter 20 2. Be a man if you want to do it

Mencius's proposition is to live in a decent way! what kind? man. What is a man? All things are prepared for me; I don't blame the sky, I don't favor others; the rich and the noble cannot be promiscuous, the poor and the humble cannot be moved, and the mighty cannot be subdued. Is Mencius a real man? yes. Once, King Xuan of Qi sent someone to say: I should have gone to see my husband.But the widow caught a cold and couldn't blow a hair dryer.If the husband is willing to come, the widow will go to court. I wonder if the widow can see the husband? Mencius immediately said: I'm sorry, it happens that I can't blow the wind either.

In fact, Mencius was not sick. Moreover, he restored that he was planning to meet King Xuan of Qi. So, why did Mencius pretend to be sick? Because his intuition told him that King Xuan of Qi was "calling him on account of his illness", that is, calling him on the pretext of being sick.Of course not. Mencius explained this. Mencius said that there are three most noble things in the world: title, age, and morality.In the imperial court, the title is judged; in the village, age is judged; if one wants to rule the world, one should judge morality first.Therefore, even if you are a king, you can only come to ask for advice. How can there be any reason to call around virtuous people casually?

So Mencius would rather pretend to be sick than give in. Mencius also said that if a scholar wants to lobby the princes, he must first ignore him.Because he has his wealth, I have my benevolence; he has his title, and I have my justice.We are no less than him! No wonder he was able to hold the "King Training Class". In fact, not just anyone can enter Mencius's training class.King Xuan of Qi and King Liang Hui were on the score line.King Hui's son, King Xiang, was looked down upon by Mencius, saying that "he does not look like a king".Therefore, Mencius also said: I disdain to educate him, that is to educate him.

Who is Mencius who disdains to teach? The king who can't make it to the training class. What if you pass the exam? Nor can he sit on an equal footing with Mencius.Mencius once said through the mouth of Confucius' grandson Zisi: In terms of status, you are a king and I am a minister. How can I dare to make friends with you?In terms of morality, you are an apprentice and I am a teacher, how can we be friends? This is pride. Proudness is the integrity of a scholar. Indeed, one must not have arrogance, nor be without arrogance.If you have arrogance, you will be proud; without arrogance, you will be charming.Neither arrogant nor obsequious, it is for a man.

So, how can you become a man? Cultivate awe-inspiring spirit. What will happen if there is arrogance? When the chest is full of grandeur, it is a "beauty", which is called "fullness is beauty".If it can still radiate light, it is a "big man", which is called "greatness is full and radiant".If this brilliance can influence others, he is a "sage", and it is called "a saint who is big and transformed."If this influence and influence is still unknowing, he is a "man of God", called "the holy and unknowable one is called God".

Beauty, greatness, holiness, and god are the four realms of personality cultivation. The realm needs to be improved, but as long as there is such awe-inspiring spirit, one will take the world as one's own responsibility, take justice as one's responsibility, be the most powerful, upright and strong, open and aboveboard, open and frank, and become a man who stands upright. Of course, he also dares to speak up at any time. Thus, Mencius was invincible. Once, Mencius visited a certain place in Qi State. The local magistrate is called Kong Juxin. Mencius asked: If a soldier under his command failed three times in one day, would you fire him, doctor?

Kong Juxin said: "I can't wait three times." Mencius said: Sir, you have done it more than three times.Because of the disaster victims and refugees in your land, the old and the weak died in the wilderness, and the young and strong were displaced. There are nearly a thousand people. Kong Juxin said: This is beyond what Li Xin can do. Mencius said: Grazing cattle and sheep for others, but can't find pasture and water plants, should we return the cattle and sheep, or watch the cattle and sheep die? Kong Juxin said, "Ju Xin understands, this is her fault." When Mencius returned to the capital, he said to King Xuan, "I know five of the king's magistrates."The only one who knows his sins is Kong Juxin.

King Xuan of Qi said: This is also the sin of the widow. Haha, what kind of chivalry and magnanimity is this! Although I can't come, I yearn for it.
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