Source: The Book of Songs Xiaoya Xiao Min
To interpret self-cultivation and caution, we should always have a heart of awe, just like standing on the edge of a cliff or walking on thin ice, always afraid of falling.
explain
"Dare not Hu Bao, dare not Feng He. People only know this danger and don't know other evils. Trembling, like an abyss, like walking on thin ice. " Dare not fight tigers with bare hands, dare not cross the river without a boat. People only know that this is dangerous, but they don't know that other disasters are coming. Being cautious is like standing on the edge of a cliff and walking on thin ice. The poet described the cautious attitude of "being cautious" in dealing with people, which had a far-reaching influence on politicians of past dynasties.
Confucius quoted this famous saying in The Analects of Confucius and warned his disciples who wanted to be officials not to "storm the mountains and rivers". Because these people only care about one thing, don't care about others, and don't plan carefully, they are in danger of falling at any time. "The position is high and the meaning is good, the official benefits are big but the heart is small, and the salary is thick and cautious." This sentence in Shuo Wen Jie Zi also tells those officials that the higher the position, the more modest they should be. The bigger the official position, the more cautious. The more you earn, the less you should ask for extra things. Only in this way can you succeed in the world.
Sun Shuai was the Lingyin (equivalent to the Prime Minister) of Chu Zhuangwang in the Spring and Autumn Period. Once, a hermit named Mr. Qiu told Sun Shuai that people have three complaints: people are jealous of people with high titles; The monarch hates powerful people; People hate men with high salaries. Sun Shuai knew that this was a kind exhortation to him, saying that the higher my title, the more humble my mood; The higher my level, the more cautious I am; The bigger my salary, the more I give to others. So we can avoid three grievances, right? What Sun Shuai thinks and says reflects the awe and cautious style of officials. As a prime minister, Sun Shuai ranks below one person and above ten thousand people, but he is flashy and simple in food and clothing, and his wife, children and even horses don't eat millet. He was famous for his talent and eventually became a saint recorded in Lu Chunqiu.
In history, there are also some examples of people with high officials and high salaries who have lost their reputation because they failed to maintain a modest and prudent style. Ming Taizu's Prime Minister Li Shanchang is a typical representative. In the early years of Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, Emperor Taizu of Ming Dynasty, thought that Li Shanchang had followed him for many years, was good at making suggestions and made great contributions, so he was named Han Gong with an annual salary of 4,000 stone, and his descendants were hereditary, giving him an iron ticket to avoid death. Li Shanchang, on the other hand, relied on the emperor's luck, took the credit for himself, acted recklessly and treated others harshly, often in retaliation. In his later years, Li Shanchang was not only impeached by the suggestion, but also his domestic slaves reported him in succession. His wife, daughter, brother and nephew were all killed because of their involvement in the Hu rebellion. He paid a painful price for his complacency.
As a prime minister, Wen Tianxiang in the Southern Song Dynasty presented another realm. He said: "Tianxiang has been trembling since she became an official, and she dare not be a little arrogant." He stuck to his duties and set an example for future generations.
The history book says, "There is no security, only danger." Caution finally began. "Warn those officials in official positions to have awe, always keep a sense of being prepared for danger in times of peace, and be careful from beginning to end. Ceng Zi said "I check my body three times a day" to remind people to be cautious and always reflect on themselves. There is also an aphorism in Caigen Tan, which has been handed down to this day in the Ming Dynasty, "From the emperor to Shu Ren, all are fearless and deathless". The ancient people's warnings again and again explained a truth: "If you are afraid, you will not be arrogant. If you are successful and fearless, you will get into trouble from doing whatever you want. "If a person has no fear, he will do whatever he wants and have no scruples, which will be a disaster for his health. Just as Zeng Guofan said in his letter: Only with awe can we get rid of complacency and laziness. This is true for ordinary people, especially for current leading cadres. This truth should not only be understood, but also strictly practiced. At the same time, we should also understand that modesty and prudence are not afraid to act, but conscientious and honest.
As the saying goes, "Being involved in the world is like a river, and walking like a boat" means that there is a danger of capsizing at any time and place. This can also be used to especially warn those in high positions to keep a modest and prudent attitude and style at all times. If you don't advance, you will retreat. So you need to constantly remind yourself, reflect, be cautious from beginning to end, and don't let yourself slack off.