Reading must be hard work. If it is not hard, then there must be something wrong with the book you are reading. Human nature is to seek sweetness and avoid bitterness, so for ordinary people, reading is a test of will.

The Zeng family was immersed in joy that they had never experienced in a century, which convinced Zeng Guofan that it didn't matter if people were stupid, as long as they worked hard and persisted, they would succeed. At the same time, he also firmly established this outlook on life: Since I am a stupid person, I will do everything step by step in the future, do it in a down-to-earth manner using stupid methods, and do not speculate, use tricks, or take shortcuts. There are millions of roads to success, and I will only take the road that looks stupidest but is actually the most practical!

Wang Yangming said that everyone has a conscience, and the size of your career depends on the size of your conscience.

"Where there is a will, there is a way."

Zeng Guofan suddenly stuttered: "It must be... my poem..."

"You "My poems are just average," Mu Zhang'a interrupted Zeng Guofan, "The reason why I want to see you is because you know what to do but keep doing it and keep sending me poems. This kind of perseverance touches me. "< /p>

Mu Zhang'a first accepted Zeng Guofan's conscientious thanks, and then gave him guidance. He said: "You entered the Hanlin Academy with the lowest grade of the top three, so you must cherish this opportunity. In fact, your talent is not high, and you are below average. But you have an advantage that many people don't have, and that is willpower. Human's The power of will is infinite, it can turn decay into magic, and make the sun and moon change the sky. In history, those who achieved great things relied on hard work rather than talent, so you must maintain this advantage.

"Wo Ren. He is easier to talk than Tang Jian, and he talks endlessly when he sees Zeng Guofan. Wo Ren said: "In fact, the method of reading depends on your own temperament. Some people read many books and don't ask for a deep understanding; some people only read one book in their life and arrive at the same destination through different paths. But there are certain rules for self-inspection. My self-inspection The method completely follows the rules of Neo-Confucianism. From the time you open your eyes in the morning to the time you close your eyes and go to sleep at night, every word, every move, sitting, lying, and eating during this period must be recorded. If you have selfish desires, get rid of them immediately; sit quietly for an hour every day. Above all, we must overcome the selfish desires in our hearts one by one, that is to say, the most important thing is to study oneself (seize some signs and study them carefully to discover their development trends and interests). ”

Zeng Guofan drooped! Eyelids, as if lost. Wo Ren realized that he didn't understand, and said in a more serious tone: "Actually, through meditation, note-taking and other introspection efforts, you can eliminate some selfish thoughts before they even show their signs, let yourself run along the road of heaven, and put academic knowledge into practice." , mental skills, and medical skills are connected together. As your knowledge increases, your moral level will also be improved, so that you can gradually cultivate yourself, manage your family, govern your country, and bring peace to the world."

Once you are favored by heaven, you will be rewarded. If he is diligent, then he will not know how high the sky is. This is human nature.

In fact, Neo-Confucianists are too extreme. Wang Yangming is right. To be sincere and not deceive means not to deceive your own conscience. You can use white lies as long as it does not violate your conscience.

If you are not a sage, you will be a beast; don’t ask about harvest, but ask about hard work.

Whenever he mentioned quitting smoking, Zeng Guofan was always proud and used this as an example to advise others to have perseverance and perseverance, no matter how big or small they are. Perseverance is the most powerful weapon in the world, indestructible and invincible.

In fact, everyone has perseverance, but some people only have it in one thing, while some people have it in most things. But one thing is for sure, no one has perseverance in anything.

It is difficult to quit smoking because it brings physical pleasure; it is even harder to quit chess because it brings spiritual pleasure. People’s spiritual addiction is much higher than physical addiction, so quit it. It will be very difficult.

"I see that you have done a good job in cultivating yourself and your family. In terms of self-cultivation, you have become polite and bear the burden. It is said that you were scolded in the capital, but you were calm and composed."

Zeng Guofan sighed. He said: "I was so sulky behind my back that my lungs almost exploded. The sage said to be cautious about being alone. It seems that I haven't practiced enough."

Guo Songtao pondered for a while and suddenly realized. Zeng Guofan just didn't want to be caught by his friends. He could have no scruples in front of others, but he had to behave in front of his friends. Great men are not afraid of people's words, but they are not afraid of the words of the common people in the world. The words of the common people in the world are nothing! But they are afraid of the words of their relatives and friends. If their relatives and friends don't even understand him, then he will really become a sinner.

Li Yuandu was greatly moved by this profound summary. He originally thought that Zeng Guofan would not be able to survive this time. Zeng Guofan finally said with relief: "Every time a person makes a plan or takes action, there will be ups and downs. As long as you persevere, you can always succeed. People are not afraid of failure, but they are afraid of being addicted to failure and unable to extricate themselves."

Li Yuandu became excited and went to find Zeng Guofan's hand. He squeezed it tightly and said in a choked voice: "Sir, well done!"

The most proud thing about Chinese Confucianism is that everything is prepared for me, and all difficulties are with me. Hardships, far from destroying me, can become a motivation to hone me. I regard hardships and temporary embarrassment as whetstones. Although it is hard to grind through countless hardships, you have to go through wind and rain before you can see the rainbow!

Zeng Guofan sighed in his heart and said, "Humanity is like a mirror. If you smile at it, it will smile back at you. If you frown, it will definitely give you a bitter look."

Zeng Guofan's upcoming life is like a star, so bright that it is blinding, while Xianfeng's upcoming life is as dark as a dark cloud.

The witty staff nodded one after another, and Zeng Guofan was surprised: "Do you know what I mean?"

One staff member said quickly: "Drag the word."

< p> "Oh?" Zeng Guofan was a little happy.

"People spend their whole lives in the suspicion and disbelief of others. If you are useful, they will use you. If you are useless, they will abandon you. This is no exception throughout the ages."

< p> Normally, people who talk about tempering their minds are just idle talk. This is the time to work hard. In the face of external bullying and distrust, we should treat it with a normal heart. If you are really angry and angry, then you are being led by the other party, and you are not practicing true cultivation.

"Resigning after one's success" is the most helpless thing for the person involved, and the most despicable thing for the person's boss. Others have worked hard to build the world for you. Once the world is stable, you will kill the donkey. The level of despicability can make people completely lose confidence in human nature.

The essence of Zeng Guofan's lifelong cultivation, in the eyes of today's people, is just the integration of knowledge and action of "retirement after success": knowing that retirement after success is the way of heaven and the foundation of survival, go there immediately Do it, and do your best, leaving no room for error.

Soldiers, especially those who have been soldiers for many years, are most afraid of being disarmed and returning home, because they can only fight and not do anything else. Therefore, they had fun with the Eight Banners soldiers while swallowing their anger.

The first step in the stabilization plan is to restore the Gongyuan of the Provincial Examination. The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom has been in Jinling for many years, and the intellectuals have long forgotten what the Provincial Examination is. Now Zeng Guofan has given them a new ladder to the bright road. Knowledge The people were very grateful to Zeng Guofan.

Zeng Guofan went on to say: "The more I think about it, the more anxious I become, the more official affairs become more complicated, and the long night of happiness is no longer heard from. Originally, I planned to die of old age in Jinling. I didn't expect that I would be asked to take the responsibility again. Such a heavy responsibility. The heavier the responsibility, the more things I have to do, and the more I am criticized. Everyone in the world is proud of being the best, but now I really regard it as a distressing situation."

To do something he doesn't like to do, the probability of success is almost zero.

"People are lucky, maybe my luck has run out. If there is another mistake this time, I will not be far from stepping down. And I have a premonition that there will definitely be a mistake this time."

p>

There was a disease in ancient Chinese official circles. It could come and go like the wind just by relying on personal thoughts. My heart controls the disease.

"If the east is not bright, the west is bright. Those with great ambitions will not worry about no way out."

"You must learn from my lesson. The Eight Banners and the Green Camp can no longer be relied on to protect the Queen Mother and the Emperor. To protect China's safety, it all depends on your Huai Army. In the future, the Huai Army will be discussed one day. Don't be timid like me. It can only be strengthened, not weakened. In troubled times, you must have a gun in your hand. Son, this is the case for both the family and the country. "

"What?" Li Hongzhang couldn't believe his ears. The teacher and Zuo Zongtang had almost an undying hatred. How could it be him?

Zeng Guofan saw his doubts and smiled: "You, your level is not high. Zuo Zongtang is a man of great talent and strategy, upright and honest in dealing with others. What I am arguing with him is about national affairs, not personal affairs." Love. Zuo Zongtang's ability to understand people and his loyalty to the country are his strengths.

People cannot interfere with state affairs because of personal feelings! ”