A letter written by Zhuge Liang to his son, in just eighty-six words, has concise and specific advice for learning to be a man. The wisdom of more than 1,800 years ago still has its reference value in today’s technological era. When I was young, I heard someone say, “True wisdom can transcend time and space and is always new.” At first I did not know what that meant, but now I think it is true. Let’s learn ten lessons from Mr. Zhuge Liang, so that we can stand firm in the midst of change and find strength in the face of adversity.
The Book of Commandments
A gentleman’s conduct is to be quiet in order to cultivate his body and to be frugal in order to cultivate his virtue; there is no way to be clear without being calm, and there is no way to be far without being quiet. Learning must be quiet, and talent must be learned; there is no way to broaden one’s talent without learning, and there is no way to become learned without ambition. The slowness is not to encourage the essence of the danger of impatience can not be smelt. Years and time, the intention and years to go, so into the withered, more than not to receive the world. Sad to keep poor hut, will be what!
The first lesson: the power of tranquility
“Quiet to cultivate the body”, “non-quiet to get far”, “learning must be quiet too”.
Zhuge Liang advises children to be quiet to be able to cultivate their bodies and minds, meditate and reflect. If you can’t be quiet, you can’t effectively plan for the future, and the first condition for learning is to have a peaceful environment.
Most modern people are busy all day long. Shouldn’t you take a moment to reflect on the direction of your life in the midst of the hustle and bustle?
Lesson 2: The power of frugality
“Frugality feeds virtue”. Zhuge Liang advised his children to be frugal in order to cultivate their virtue.
By managing your finances prudently and keeping your income within your means, you will not only be free from debt, but you will also be able to live a disciplined and simple life and not become a slave to material things.
In a civilized society where consumption is encouraged, have you ever thought about the benefits of frugality?
Lesson 3: The Power of Planning
“There is no way to be clear without being tantalized” and “There is no way to be far without being tranquil”. Zhuge Liang advises children to plan their lives, not to talk about fame and fortune in everything in order to understand their ambitions, and to be quiet so that they can carefully plan for the future.
Facing the future, do you have a vision? Do you have a sense of mission? Do you have your own values?
Lesson 4: The Power of Learning
“Learning requires quietness” and “talent requires learning”. Zhuge Liang advises children that a peaceful environment is very helpful for learning, and of course with a focused and calm mind, you will get twice the result with half the effort.
Zhuge Liang was not a believer in genius, but believed that talent is the result of learning.
Have you ever studied with all your heart and soul? Do you believe that hard work leads to achievement?
Lesson 5: The Power of Added Value
“There is no way to broaden one’s talents without learning” and “There is no way to become a student without ambition”.
Zhuge Liang advises children that to add value they must first set their minds to it. If they are not willing to study hard, they will not be able to increase their talents.
However, determination and perseverance are very important in the process of learning, because lack of willpower will make you give up halfway.
Have you ever thought about the fact that there are many people who make a start and few who persevere to the end?
Lesson 6: The power of speed
“Slowness does not inspire precision”. Zhuge Liang advises children that if they delay in everything, they will not be able to grasp the main points quickly.
The computer age is the age of speed, everything is about efficiency, and I can’t imagine that the wisdom of more than 1,800 years ago also coincides.
By being one step ahead of others, you not only achieve your ideal, but also have you ever thought that you have more time to make corrections and improvements?
Lesson 7: The Power of Character
“If you are impatient, you will not be able to improve your character”. Zhuge Liang advises children that if they are too impatient, they will not be able to cultivate their temperament.
Psychologists say, “Thoughts affect behavior, behavior affects habits, habits affect character, and character affects destiny.”
Zhuge Liang understands that there is a balance to be struck in life, and that it is necessary to “encourage the essence” as well as to “cultivate the character”. Do you want to improve the quality of your character?
Lesson 8: The Power of Time
“The years go by with the times” and “the mind goes with the years”.
Zhuge Liang advises children that time flies, and willpower will be worn out with time, “If you don’t work hard, you will be sad in the old age. The only way to manage yourself is to make good use of every minute and second. Please think about it, do you have wasted time?
Lesson 9: The power of imagination
“So it becomes withered”, “many do not receive the world”, “sad to keep the poor hut”, “what will be.
Zhuge Liang advises his children that time flies, and it is useless to lament the wasted years when one becomes out of touch with the world.
You have to know how to think of danger in peace, so that you can not be in danger. Imagination is more powerful than knowledge.
Have you ever thought big, started small, put your feet on the ground, and planned for life?
Lesson 10: The power of streamlining
The above letter from Zhuge Liang to his son uses only eighty-six short words to concisely convey a specific message.
I believe that concise expression stems from clear thinking. It is easy to get bored with long-winded content, and it is more effective to communicate concisely. Do you know how to communicate concisely in words?
Recent Comments