Chinese people cannot eat without chopsticks. Chopsticks accompany us for three meals a day. Do you know the life principles contained in chopsticks?
There are many types of chopsticks, ranging in length. In fact, the ancients were very particular when designing chopsticks. For example, the standard length is seven inches and six minutes. People may think that this is just to make eating more convenient, but in fact, this design contains too much profound meaning. Seven inches and six points represent the seven emotions and six desires of human beings. This design is to remind people to exercise moderation no matter what they do.
The chopsticks have one square end and one round end, symbolizing the round sky and the round place. This is the ancient people’s understanding of the world. When people use chopsticks, the thumb and index finger are up, the middle finger, ring finger and little finger are down in turn, representing the three talents of heaven, earth and man.
Chopsticks always appear in pairs. Chinese people pay attention to dividing them into two and combining them into one. One is Tai Chi and the other is Yin and Yang. Everything is relative, and the combination of yin and yang will produce a good result.
Chopsticks have a long history. There are records about chopsticks as early as "Han Feizi". Today, chopsticks are used in Asian countries including North Korea, South Korea, and Japan.
Teacher Zeng Shiqiang once said: "Chinese chopsticks are very knowledgeable. One end is square and the other is round. If both ends are round, the chopsticks will easily roll off. If both ends are square Yes, it is inconvenient to pick things up. Only with round heads can chopsticks be useful; only with square heads can chopsticks stand upright."
This contains the Chinese way of life: it is difficult to establish a person without a method. Nothing can be accomplished without perfection.
During the Qing Dynasty, Zhang Tingyu, a bachelor, was deeply trusted by Emperor Kangxi and served as a co-examiner for three times. Many officials take the opportunity to accept bribes when serving as examiners. Even if no benefits were received before the exam, those who were admitted after the exam would give gifts to the examiners. This was a common phenomenon at the time.
But Zhang Tingyu not only refused to give gifts before entering the imperial palace, but also accepted only a few token gifts from his disciples and refused to give them large sums of money.
Zhang Tingyu warned his disciples that integrity should start from small things: if you are not cautious and meticulous, you will eventually suffer from great virtues. At the same time, Zhang Tingyu adhered to Huang Tingjian's officialdom philosophy of "a thousand words are worth a thousand words, it is better to remain silent", refraining from enmity and not saying anything that offends others.
Qianlong's evaluation of him was both philosophical and wise. Zhang Tingyu was entitled to enjoy the Imperial Ancestral Temple after his death. In the entire Qing Dynasty, he was the only Han official to enjoy this honor.
If it is too strong it will break, if it is too soft it will be useless. When a person is in the world, he must abide by the bottom line. This is the principle of life. He must also be flexible and flexible. This is the wisdom of doing things.
Zuo Zongtang once served as governor of Liangjiang. With such power and reputation, he never sought personal gain. Most of his salary was used by him to fund the public affairs of the Qing Dynasty.
During the expedition, he ate and lived with the soldiers. When the military pay was in arrears, he paid for it out of his own pocket. Zuo Zongtang has his own rules for being an official and a person, and he is also sophisticated in dealing with people.
Every time he went home, Zuo Zongtang would always entertain his neighbors and give gifts at their doorsteps. When his family asked him why, he said that the way to benefit widely is also the way to stay away from resentment.
Zuo Zongtang knew very well that human nature is prone to jealousy and it is easy to accumulate grudges and turn into hatred. Giving favors is the best way to resolve this human weakness.
Knowing good and evil and doing things in a proper manner is called integrity; knowing human nature and treating others thoughtfully is called emotional intelligence.
Being upright on the inside and smooth on the outside is the highest state for us to walk in the world.
Of course, there are many rules and taboos about eating chopsticks. For example, when eating, be sure not to make loud noises with chopsticks. It would be even more uncivilized to hit the dishes with the chopsticks. You must even protect the chopsticks from falling on the ground when eating, because dropping the chopsticks will be considered very disrespectful. Elegant move.
A small pair of chopsticks contains the great principles of life.