Buzz
1. "Cúc Cung Tận Tụy, Tử Nhi Hậu Dĩ" – Wholehearted dedication, only stopping when death arrives
A gentleman, when undertaking any task, must give his full commitment and zeal, persevering until the very end. This virtue was always highly regarded and served as the standard by which the character of a gentleman was assessed in ancient society.
This saying encourages deep thought, especially in today’s world, where people increasingly live for personal gain. Many simply go through the motions at work, disregarding the responsibilities that should be shared. This careless attitude and lack of dedication in certain individuals is eroding the valuable traits of humanity, a ‘disease’ that demands serious attention and correction.
2. "Phi Đạm Bạc Vô Dĩ Minh Chí, Phi Ninh Tĩnh Vô Dĩ Trí Viễn" - Không đạm bạc thì không tỏ rõ được chí hướng, không yên tĩnh thì không thể xây dựng được chí hướng cao xa.
Con người trong cuộc sống, nếu không sống trong cảnh đạm bạc, sống một cách giản dị thanh cao thì khó có thể tỏ rõ được chí hướng của mình. Cuộc sống danh lợi, vật chất sẽ che mờ lý trí, dễ khiến con người đánh mất đi chí hướng ban đầu của mình. Tương tự, nếu muốn có được chí hướng cao xa, có tầm nhìn sâu rộng, cần phải giữ được tâm tưởng thanh tịnh, yên bình.
Đây là lời răn dạy sâu sắc mà Gia Cát Khổng Minh gửi đến con trai mình, và cũng là bài học quý giá để người đời suy ngẫm. Đạm bạc ở đây không phải là cuộc sống ở ẩn, túng thiếu, mà ý chỉ một lối sống không màng danh lợi, không để vật chất che mờ lý trí. Tâm không tạp niệm, tư tưởng không rối ren ắt sẽ tỏ rõ được chí hướng cao rộng, sáng ngời.
3. "Quý Nhi Bất Kiêu, Thắng Nghi Bất Bội, Hiền Nhi Năng Hạ, Cương Nhi Năng Nhẫn" - Nobility without arrogance, victory without complacency, a wise person must remain humble towards subordinates, and be firm yet tolerant and patient.
A gentleman, regardless of his position or past triumphs, must maintain humility and avoid arrogance or self-congratulation. He should not look down on those beneath him but instead exhibit tolerance and patience, showing strength tempered with kindness. Only in this way can one truly embody the character of a noble and virtuous individual.
Life is filled with ups and downs, and it is only through remaining humble, even at the height of success, that one can win the trust and respect of both superiors and subordinates. In contrast, those who rely solely on their talents and boast about their achievements are destined to fail.
4. Đãi Mạn Tắc Bất Năng Khai Tinh, Hiểm Táo Tắc Bất Năng Lý Tính - Laziness hinders profound understanding, and rashness prevents rational thinking.
Each person is born with a unique mission, talent, and strengths. If one is lazy and unwilling to learn or improve, or if they settle for what they have achieved, they will remain stagnant and never reach mastery or expertise. Lazy individuals tend to fall behind in society and may become failures due to their lack of ambition and drive for progress.
Furthermore, it is essential for one to maintain a calm and composed mindset in their actions. If one is overly impulsive or reckless, clear thinking becomes difficult, leading to poor decisions and potentially regrettable consequences.
5. 'In times of difficulty, step forward; in times of reward, step back.' – A philosophy suggesting that when faced with hardships, one should lead the way, and when rewarded, they should humbly retreat.
'In times of difficulty, step forward; in times of reward, step back,' said Zhuge Liang. This phrase means that in moments of adversity, one must lead, while in times of accomplishment, one should humbly retreat. This was a guiding principle for the ancient nobleman. A true hero never shies away from challenges, always taking the lead in difficult situations, with no concern for fame or recognition. Just like Zhao Yun during the Three Kingdoms period, despite his frequent participation in battles and numerous heroic deeds, he maintained his humble nature, always thinking of the people before himself. This quality is timeless and should be upheld in every era. If everyone only focuses on their own self-interest, society will inevitably deteriorate.
6. 'Big tasks begin with difficulty, small tasks begin with ease' – Great endeavors are often challenging at the start, while small ones are much easier to begin with.
The phrase 'Every beginning is difficult' originates from this quote by Zhuge Liang. Small tasks usually don’t require much preparation and can be accomplished easily. However, big tasks rarely go smoothly, often presenting many obstacles and challenges.
This also serves as a test for the noble person. When faced with a difficult beginning, one should not falter or lose heart. Only by maintaining determination and clarity of mind can one achieve great accomplishments.
7. 'Do not rejoice in that which is unworthy of joy, nor anger in that which is unworthy of anger' – One should not be overly joyful for things that do not deserve it, nor angry about things that do not warrant such emotion.
Life is full of suffering. People often experience more sorrow and hardship than happiness, so one must know how to interact with others in a way that is both reasonable and compassionate, and live in a manner befitting a noble person or a virtuous gentleman.
Rejoice when appropriate, and express anger when justified. Avoid being overly petty or getting caught up in the small things or the actions of the insignificant. One should remain tolerant and magnanimous, but still maintain a sense of discipline and moderation.
8. “Thế lợi chi giao, nan dĩ kinh viễn.” – Relationships built on power and benefit are hard to sustain for long.
Relationships formed on the basis of power or mutual exploitation for personal gain can never remain strong or enduring for long.
This issue has been prevalent in society across all eras and places. A clear example is the use of power, money, or flattery to gain a position, regardless of limitations in skills or experience.
However, it is also important to remember the saying, “Tửu nhục bạn hữu” – when the drinks and meat are gone, so are the friends. Once the power, wealth, and exploitation ability fade, such relationships will disappear too.
9. "Vạn sự cụ bị, chích khiếm Đông phong." – All things are in place, only the southeast wind is missing.
"Vạn sự cụ bị, chích khiếm Đông phong". This phrase was spoken by Zhuge Liang to Zhou Yu during their discussion in the Eastern Wu about the strategy to defeat Cao Cao. The coalition army of Sun and Liu had prepared everything—plans, soldiers, and strategies—except for the southeast wind, which was essential to ignite the fire attack and set Cao Cao's camp ablaze.
This phrase signifies that even when everything seems to be in place, success might still be out of reach without the crucial element: the right timing, also known as the favorable moment or the opportune moment.
10. “Cùng chi dĩ từ biện nhi quan kỳ biến.” – Using reasoning and probing questions to test a person’s ability to adapt to changes.
“Cùng chi dĩ từ biện nhi quan kỳ biến.” – Using reasoning and difficult, probing questions to test someone's adaptability in difficult situations.
The meaning behind this quote is: If you want to test a person's ability to adapt, you should use tough situations or hard questions that push them to the limit. In doing so, you'll observe how they handle challenges and how well they can think on their feet.
