The famous sayings in Shangshu are:
1. If God does evil, you can still violate it; if you do evil by yourself, you can't ignore it.
Interpretation: Disasters from heaven can be avoided, but sins caused by oneself have nowhere to escape.
2. The only thing you need to do is to be prepared and be prepared.
Interpretation: When doing things, you must be prepared. Only by being prepared will there be no trouble.
3. There must be tolerance, which is helpful; tolerance, which is great virtue.
Interpretation: Only by being patient can one achieve success; only by being tolerant can one’s morality be broad.
4. If you are full, you will suffer losses, but if you are modest, you will benefit.
Interpretation: Complacency will lead to losses, but humility will lead to benefits.
5. The people can approach, but cannot leave. The people are the foundation of the country, and the foundation is solid and the country is peaceful.
Interpretation: You can only be close to the people, not neglect them. The people are the foundation of the country. Only when the people live and work in peace and contentment can the country be peaceful.
6. If you ask questions, you will be rich; if you use it yourself, you will have less.
Interpretation: People who ask questions about things will continue to enrich their knowledge, while people who are self-righteous and self-willed will only make their knowledge poor.
7. The people are not close to each other, and the five grades are not inferior.
Interpretation: People are not close to each other, and advocating respecting the elderly and loving the young will not go well. The so-called "Five Characters" refer to the five relationships between monarch and minister, father and son, husband and wife, elder and younger, and friends.
8. If you don’t prepare yourself for others, you will fail to do so.
Explanation: Blaming others for not seeking perfection, and always feeling like there are some shortcomings when checking oneself. These two sentences mean that you should not be too demanding of others, you should see the strengths and advantages of others, but you should be strict with yourself and always analyze your own shortcomings. Only in this way can you cultivate the virtue of humility and prudence, and learn both The strengths of others can help overcome your own shortcomings.
9. Don’t listen to nonsense, and don’t ask for advice.
Interpretation: Don’t listen to words that have not been verified, and don’t make decisions that have not been discussed with everyone.
10. Quiet words are contrary to words, but respectful words are overwhelming.
Interpretation: Flirty words, used in both positive and negative ways, seeming to be respectful, but in fact they are disrespectful to God.