Source: "Good medicine is bitter to the ears and good to the deeds, good medicine is bad to the ears and good to the sick." The earliest source comes from "Zengguang Xianwen" and "Confucius' Family Tales·Six Books": "Good medicine is bad to the mouth and good to the bad, good medicine is bad to the ears and good to the deeds."

Basic explanation

Good medicine is bitter and good for the disease: (two opinions) The first meaning is that although the bitter medicine is difficult for people to swallow, it is good for the disease. Although it is a little hurtful to be loyal, But everything we say and do can help us. Nowadays, it is often used to describe that others’ opinions and criticisms should be treated correctly. The second meaning is that most good medicines are bitter, but they are good for curing diseases; most of the words that teach people to be good are not pleasant to the ear, but they are good for people to correct their own shortcomings. This sentence teaches people to be brave enough to accept criticism. Because it is not terrible for a person to make a mistake, as long as he can correct it in time, it will not be a serious problem. What is terrible is that he hides his illness and refuses to treat it, and is unwilling to accept criticism from others, so that he makes a mistake from a small one to a big one, and from a big mistake to an incurable, bitter taste. Although the medicine is difficult to swallow, it is helpful for our own recovery. Although the harsh words are a little hurtful, they can help our every word and action.

Although the medicine is bitter, it is a way to treat the disease. He will speak straightforwardly to the people you care about. It may hurt you, but he will directly tell you your shortcomings. He is a hypocritical person. They are all flattering you with sweet words, making you unable to see clearly the environment you are in. Because people may not be able to see their own shortcomings clearly, so if they want to improve themselves, they need such friends. When a person lives in the world, it is a blessing to be criticized by wise men. You know, criticizing someone requires a lot of courage and takes a lot of risks. Everyone knows the principle of "plant more flowers and less thorns". Generally speaking, people like to hear good things but are not willing to listen to criticism. Some people will misunderstand criticism and even regard those who make criticism as enemies. It should also be pointed out that wise men only criticize those who are worthy of criticism, but will not criticize those who are not worthy of criticism at all, because they are too lazy to risk being hated by others.

"Good medicine is bitter to the mouth and is good for the disease; honest advice is bad for the ears and is good for the deed" means that when you are sick, you must take medicine, and you should not be afraid of hardship when taking medicine. Although bitterness is unpopular, we cannot reject it as long as it is good for our health; "loyal advice that offends the ears is helpful for one's actions" means that correct criticism, suggestions, and opinions are of positive significance to the cultivation of personal morality and the development of national undertakings. . Although some words may be harsh and some criticisms may be heart-burning, as long as they are honest and beneficial, one should not be picky about whether the commentator's words are pleasing to the ear or whether the method is appropriate. This wise article aims to educate people to be brave enough to accept criticism. It emphasizes that most good medicines have a bitter taste, but they are good for curing diseases; most of the words that teach people to be kind are not pleasant to the ears, but they are good for people to correct their shortcomings. What these two people say is very correct about the transition from treating diseases to treating the body, and from treating the body to governing the country. They express the theme clearly through the contrast of language before and after and the complementarity of philosophy. . Throughout the history of our country, most people who have made outstanding achievements have the courage to accept criticism. They are able to follow the good, so they can absorb the wisdom of others, avoid their own mistakes, and achieve their own careers.

Liu Bang accepted Zhang Liang's advice and quit Xianyang.

Zhang Liang jumped out and said: The Qin Dynasty was messing around, that's why you came to this place. To eliminate the remnants of the Qin Dynasty, we should

concentrate our spirits. Now that you have just entered Xianyang and are content to enjoy yourself, this is the so-called "helping the emperor to do evil". (This sentence is a bit strange, because it doesn't make sense) And "loyal advice is unpleasant to the ear but is beneficial to action; good medicine is bitter to the mouth and is beneficial to the disease." You should listen to Fan Kuai's opinion.

This is the origin of the famous saying, "True advice is unpleasant to the ear but beneficial to action; good medicine is bitter to the mouth and beneficial to the disease."