Meaning: The greatest pain is not being able to hear one's faults, and the greatest shame is the lack of shame.

From "Zhongshuo" written by Wang Tong, an educator in the Sui Dynasty. Excerpt from the original text:

Zhongzi said: There is no sin greater than being eager to make progress, no disaster greater than talking too much, no pain greater than not hearing something, and no humiliation greater than being shameless. Those who are angry when hearing slander are slanderers; those who are inspired by reputation are sycophants. If you go to seek advice, you will be far away from slander.

Translation:

Wang Tong, a man of the Sui Dynasty, said: The main reason for crime is quick success, the main reason for disaster is careless speech, and the biggest pain is not being able to hear. One's own fault, the greatest shame is the lack of shame. People who get angry when they hear other people's accusations are most likely to attract slander; people who are happy when they hear other people's praises are most likely to make friends with sycophants. Only by overcoming these two ills can we stay away from slander and sycophancy.

Extended information

Some people suspect that the book "Zhongshuo" is a forgery, but most scholars believe that although this book was not written by Wang Tong, it was originally written by Wang Tongmen Compiled by disciples Yao Yi and Xue Shou, it is generally the disciples' memories and records of their teachers' words and deeds.

However, after the book came into the hands of Wang Tong's son Wang Fusi, Fusi reclassified and arranged it. In the process, many untrue words that boasted about Wang Tong were added, and even later People suspect it is a forgery.

In fact, "Zhongshuo" still has a certain value. Zhu Xi once said: "The book "Zhongshuo" is like a disciple recording his words and deeds, which is also very beneficial. Although it is a pretext for later generations, It will not be too fake, it must have a personal prototype, so that it can be decorated."

"Zhongshuo" preserves the main content of Wang Tong's lectures, as well as his discussions with his disciples, in the form of lecture records. Conversations with friends and people of the time. It is divided into 10 parts, including the King's Way Chapter, the Heaven and Earth Chapter, the Shijun Chapter, the Zhou Gong Chapter, the Questions and Changes Chapter, the Rites and Music Chapter, the History Chapter, the Wei Xiang Chapter, the Li Ming Chapter, and the Guan Lang Chapter. It is the main basis and reference for future generations to study Wang Tong's thought and the development of thought during the Sui and Tang Dynasties.

The Wang Tong thought reflected in "Zhongshuo" has many valuable features. In politics, Wang Tong aimed to restore kingly politics, advocated the implementation of "benevolent government", and advocated the "unity of three religions", which was basically in line with the trend of the times and progressive.

In philosophy, Wang Tong is committed to exploring "the affairs of heaven and man". Focusing on the core of the relationship between "man and nature", Wang Tong expounds his thoughts on the view of nature, development, epistemology and history. , showing the tendency of simple materialism and the thought of main change.

In literature, Wang Tong's essays focused on theory, his essays focused on political and religious purposes, and his essays focused on conventions, expressions, classics, and principles, and advocated reforming the style of writing. These all have certain progressive significance.

Baidu Encyclopedia--Zhongshuo