The Tao Te Ching: Correctly recognize and accept the evil in human nature, which is the wisdom of 'The Way'.

In winter, pine trees endure; in times of hardship, true character is revealed.

Between people, we always see the true faces of others at critical moments or in the depths of life's lows, and human nature will be revealed when you encounter problems.

During everyday interactions, we are friendly and amicable, and when we are in a low ebb, those true faces appear.

Many complain about unlucky encounters and cold hearts, but they don't realize this is a normal state of human nature, everyone is like this, even ourselves, when others are in a low ebb, it's difficult for us to treat them as before.

We must first understand this characteristic of human nature: people flock together at their peaks, and people abandon each other when they are at their lows, so we can better respond to the harm caused by human nature's coldness.

The Song Dynasty was a period of flourishing scholars, with figures such as Ouyang Xiu, Wang Anshi, and the Su Shi father and son, and Sima Guang, all from the Song Dynasty. These scholars, who could originally respect each other and have a good time drinking, were divided by their differing political views, with Wang Anshi advocating for new laws and reforms, while Su Shi and Ouyang Xiu advocated for conservatism, leading to different positions.

Although they disagreed on policies, they highly appreciated Wang Anshi's talent and character, and Wang Anshi, for his commitment to reform, employed some small people, one of whom was Lu Huiqing.

At that time, Sima Guang knew this matter and wrote a letter to Wang Anshi: 'Loyal and honest people find it difficult to speak plainly when you are in power, but they will help you in the future. Flattering people obey you, but when you lose your power, they will sell you out for personal gain.'

Later, after Wang Anshi was dismissed as prime minister, Lu Huiqing became prime minister, and he first cut off ties with Wang Anshi and then stepped on him, like a mad dog, and when he grew up, he bit his master.

In this historical event, Wang Anshi was himself a victim, besides Lu Huiqing, he was also another side of human nature.

'When interests clash, harm arises.'

All love and hate that arise from intersection are not surprising, this is a normal phenomenon in human nature.

All the evil in human nature, if distinguished on the surface, may be the distinction between gentlemen and petty people, but if viewed from behind, it's another state of human nature being revealed. To understand and accept this state, and to better respond to it, is true wisdom.

When you view human nature's roughness with a tolerant mindset, you will feel a sense of relief, and you will be able to better deal with the problem.

As it is said: 'Slanderers discredit virtuous people, like a cloud obscuring the sun; it will not last long before it's seen in the light.' 'Flattering people are like a breeze through a crack, feeling no harm.'Small people's attacks, for themselves, are like clouds obscuring the sun, they will not cause long-lasting harm, and for us, to respond with tolerance and patience to others' scheming and small-mindedness, will have another meaning.

The Tao Te Ching says: 'Maintain composure, composure leads to impartiality, impartiality leads to completion, completion leads to heaven. Heaven is the Way, the Way is long, death does not endanger.'

This is how worldly people understand and practice the Way.

The Way can tolerate the world, then it will be impartial and selfless, impartial, it will become the king of the world, which is in accordance with the laws of heaven and nature, which is in accordance with the Way, and can be long-lasting and without danger.

And we worldly people should also have an understanding and tolerance of human nature's baseness, which is also in accordance with the Way, it can be long-lasting and free from danger.

Text by Guo Xue She.

|