Hu Linyi.

Without thunderbolt means, don’t show the Bodhisattva’s heart. This comes from a couplet sent by Hu Linyi to Zeng Guofan: “Use thunderbolt means to show the Bodhisattva’s heart.”

This sentence advocates that everyone should have the compassionate heart of a Bodhisattva and be compassionate to others. However, when necessary, they should also have the thunderbolt method to subjugate demons and defend the Tao. They must not be soft when facing bad people, and use the sword when it is time. Only by showing the sword can we defend justice and protect goodness.