The ancients said: "It is better to be sincere than to be clever." It can be seen that "sincerity" will definitely win the trust of the world. Those opportunists, no matter how clever their methods, will eventually be exposed. Lying is a means to cover up evil deeds, and integrity is the basis for success. People who lie are nothing more than trying to obtain some kind of benefit, but they can only achieve their goals in the short term. In fact, only honest people can gain long-term benefits and trust.
1. An alliance will be of no use if you remain unfaithful.
Appreciation: This sentence comes from "Zuo Zhuan·Huan Gong's Twelve Years". If you do not adhere to integrity, even if you sign a contract, it will be of no benefit.
2. A gentleman’s words are true and have proof.
Appreciation: This sentence comes from "Zuo Zhuan·The Eighth Year of Duke Zhao". Zheng: Same as "proof", evidence. Speeches between gentlemen focus on honesty and evidence.
3. Be respectful and trustworthy, be frugal and love others, and keep the people in good time.
Appreciation: This sentence comes from "The Analects·Xueer". We should be cautious but honest when doing things, be frugal but love others, and use people's power without harming it.
4. I have to examine myself three times every day: Have I been unfaithful to others? Make friends but don’t believe it? Are you not used to it?
Appreciation: This sentence comes from "The Analects of Confucius·Xueer" in the pre-Qin Dynasty. I have to reflect on myself many times every day: Have I tried my best to do things for others? Are you honest when making friends? Have you reviewed and mastered all the knowledge taught by the teacher? This is the standard of life set by Zeng Shen, Confucius's most famous disciple.
5. The Lord is faithful and he has no friends who do not know himself.
Appreciation: This sentence comes from "The Analects of Confucius·Xue Er". Make friends with those who are loyal and honest, and stay away from those who are inferior to you.
6. Respect promotes propriety, frugality promotes benevolence, and trustworthiness promotes affection.
Appreciation: This sentence comes from "Book of Rites·Biaoji 32". Gong: Respectfully. Frugality: frugality. Qing: temperament. Respect is close to etiquette, frugality is close to benevolence, and integrity is close to people’s original temperament. This sentence illustrates the supreme status of courtesy, frugality, and trustworthiness in etiquette and justice.
7. Brothers are harmonious and friends are honest.
Appreciation: This sentence comes from "Motto" by Chen Ziang of the Tang Dynasty. Brothers should advocate harmony, and friends should believe in integrity
8. A gentleman should cultivate his heart with sincerity, and sincerity means nothing else.
Appreciation: This sentence comes from "Xunzi · Not Being Strict". The best thing for a gentleman to cultivate his moral integrity is to be honest. If you reach a state of sincerity, nothing troublesome will happen.
9. If you always keep the letter holding the pillar, how can you go to the husband's platform?
Appreciation: This sentence comes from "Changgan Xing" by Li Bai of the Tang Dynasty. There is a story in "Zhuangzi": The young man made an appointment with the woman he fell in love to meet at the pillar under the bridge, but the woman did not come. As the river rose, Obi Moranobu held on to the pillar and waited until the river submerged him. If you could always stick to your promise like Weng Baozhu, would I still have to go to the watchman's platform to wait for you? The poem not only expresses the value of loyalty to love, but also shows the importance of being honest.
10. Honesty breeds light, partiality breeds darkness; stubbornness breeds intelligence, deception breeds obstruction; honesty breeds god, and exaggeration breeds confusion.
Appreciation: This sentence comes from "Xunzi · Being Strict". Justice will make you wise, partiality will make you foolish. Honesty will lead to enlightenment, while fraud will block it. Sincerity creates gods, boasting leads to confusion.