This page analyses Bai Juyi’s poem On Freeing Speech No.3. Using Zhou Gong and Wang Mang examples, it argues true human character can only be judged by long‑term observation rather than superficial moments.
Daoist hermit Yan Zun earned a living by divination in Chengdu and declined official offers. He argued true wealth lies in inner peace rather than material gains, rejecting a rich man’s aid and claiming fortune and fame harm one’s spirit.
Han Feizi records two Wu envoys marked for sacrificial drum blood by Chu’s general. They reasoned killing them would make Wu tighten defenses and curse Chu’s drums, convincing the commander to spare their lives with sharp diplomatic logic.
Han Fei cites history: brute force fails without wisdom. Qin has unmatched strength; he risks death to offer strategies to break alliances and unify China.
The Master said, “People of the south have a saying: ‘A person without constancy cannot even become a shaman or physician.’ How excellent this saying is!”He then quoted the Book of Changes: “If one does not maintain his virtue consistently, he will surely bring shame upon himself.”The Master added, “Such a person need not…
When Master Yu was young, he was a chivalrous character and was fond of martial arts. He was so strong that he could hold up a huge tea kettle full of water with one hand and twirl it around.