When judging a person who has encountered misfortune and hardships, it is necessary to understand the aspirations and ambitions he set out with.
When judging a person who has achieved success, it is necessary to examine whether he maintains his moral integrity in his old age.
事穷势蹙之人，当原其初心；功成行满之士，要观其末路。
Notes
Evaluating the Struggling
When people face adversity (“in dire straits”), they are often dismissed by society (e.g., labeled “failures” or “incompetent”). Yet dire circumstances do not equate to ignoble origins.
“Examining their founding intent” means looking beyond outcomes to judge the core of their actions — the goodness of their motives defines character more than temporary success or failure.
Scrutinizing the Successful
Those at the peak of achievement are often showered with praise, obscuring inner transformation.
Whether they maintain clarity amid temptation and comfort reveals the depth of their cultivation far more than transient accomplishments.
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