A wise ruler fears three things: Firstly, he is afraid of not knowing his mistakes because of his lofty position. Second, he fears arrogance and self-complacency when he succeeds. Third, he is afraid of not following wise advice. The ancient Chinese people advocated being modest, cautious, and vigilant

Divinely-inspired culture advocates that one has to be prudent about what one says. In the cultivating community, there is emphasis on the cultivation of speech, because a comment is capable of hurting others more than a sharp knife or gun could. Moreover, as soon as words are spoken, they can't be taken back, and they can create resentment and karma, thus bringing disaster to the speaker.

Sima Guang classified individuals into four groups based on their virtue and talents: the sagacious - those who have both virtues and talents; the foolish - those who have neither virtue nor talents; the noble - those who have virtue but no talents; and the inferior - those who have talents but no virtues. When it was time to appoint an official, the first choice would be a sagacious person, then a noble person. If neither a sagacious person nor a noble person could be found, it would be better to use a foolish person rather than an inferior one. It was because individuals with talents but without virtue were most dangerous. They were worse than those who have neither talents nor virtue.

Taizhong said, "I often laughed at the Sui Emperor, who did not pay attention to talented officials but liked auspicious omens. As a result, his country perished. In my opinion, what is truly auspicious is having talented officials managing our country well, and having our people be happy and content. As for the rare birds and wonderful beasts, they are only slightly different from ordinary things. How can we celebrate this?" He then ordered the nest to be destroyed and the birds to be returned to the wild.

The mirror had a special function. When one looked at the mirror from the front, it reflected the image upside down. If the person rubbed his hand over the chest, then the internal organs of the person could also be clearly seen. More interestingly, it could also distinguish the loyal from the disloyal ministers in the imperial court, as well as foretell the rise and fall of a state... indeed it was a state treasure.

Though the emperor took good care of her, she was very diligent in her practise and was not arrogant being a royal relative. Besides meditating, she often went to the mountain to collect herbs and treated patients. From the time she became a nun in the Mount Mian area, when there was a drought she burned incense and prayed for rain. It has been said that her prayers were always answered, bringing great delight to the surrounding residents. The princess was given a nickname "Living Guanyin (Bodhisattva)."

Diwu Lun was an official from the early Eastern Han Dynasty of ancient China. He lived in what is Shaanxi Province today. He was honest, unpretentious, and generous. No matter where he worked, he was always considerate of the people.

Life has shown us that time flies as quickly as a galloping horse. A man of virtue knows to treasure time for the precious gold that it is. There was once a historian named Liu Shu in the Northern Song Dynasty who was known for his lofty character and noble aspirations. He was diligent in learning throughout his life. He was also a man of great self-discipline. He made a reasonable plan for each day so that he would never waste his time.

Di Renjie said: "The old monk told me that from my looks I would be a highly placed eminent official and would become well known in the future. But I must always remember to forbid myself lust! Since the old monk pointed it out to me, how could I trade my future for a moment of desire?"

In traditional Chinese culture, it is believed that every person has his own fate and his fortunes are predestined according to what he has done in previous lives. Such a belief is also prevalent in the world of cultivation practice. It is believed that a person who harms other people out of jealousy or feeling unjustly wronged will not change his situation.

The woodsman threw his sickle to the ground, raised his eyebrows, and said angrily, "You are a noble, but why do you treat other people as if they are beneath you? You have a grand and heroic appearance, but why do you speak so rudely? I would rather wear feather-down in hot May while chopping firewood. Why should I pick up gold that someone else has lost?"

Ten years later, the geomancer once again found himself passing by this place. He thought of the old woman, and the burial site he had purposely chosen for her, which was actually a forbidding and ominous site. In other words, once the old woman was buried there, her surviving family would be doomed. The geomancer arrived at the location, and immediately noticed a tombstone erected on the very site he had chosen for the old woman's burial.

In ancient China there was a saying "Whether rich or poor, do not be moved by self interest or gain, nor yield to power and force." During the Southern Song Dynasty of ancient China, besides Wen Tianxiang, there was another man who was known to have the same courage and righteousness as Su Wu from the Han dynasty. His name was Hong Hao.

Historical research indicates that General Yue Fei was both honest and frugal. He stayed away from frivolous music and women whilst turning a blind eye to fame and profit. His conduct deeply touched people's hearts and gained their admiration. Yue Fei once said, "If the government officials do not love money, and the military officers are not afraid of dying, then the country will be peaceful." Yue Fei was definitely someone who practised what he preached.

Zilu said, "The bamboo grown in the southern mountains is straight as can be without any human intervention. If one makes arrows by cutting this type of bamboo into smaller pieces, the arrow can pierce the skin of a rhino. Why should one [with great inborn quality] need to study?" Confucius answered, "Isn't it true that the arrow can penetrate even deeper if one mounts feathers at the tail and sharpens its head?" Zilu bowed to show his respect and said, "I sincerely accept your teaching."

Since they were already dead, the orders of your Majesty have been implemented. I buried them due to my moral sense. This shows the world that it is a principle that one has to repay generosity. Wouldn't such a principle make it easier to rule the country? Isn't it a good thing to do? Or would your Majesty like me to feel guilty about the dead and live mindlessly?" The emperor was pleased with what Zhong Hui said and so treated him with a banquet and then let him go.

When he heard the story about how the servant came by the gold bracelet, Peng Jiao wanted to return to the tavern immediately to return it. His servant was very perplexed and said: "If we go back we will miss the imperial examination." Peng Jiao said: "This bracelet must belong to a woman. If she loses it, her parents will suspect she has given it to someone. And the intense interrogation that could follow might cost a life."

Even though he was getting very old, Confucius's thoughts were the most brilliant in the last nine years of his life. During that time, Confucius devoted himself to teaching students and writing books. As a philosophical system, Confucianism was established in those last nine years.

History is like a mirror, and the end result depends on one's ability to accept criticism. We should understand the principle of "To err is human, but people respect those who are able to admit fault and are willing to change." We should not be afraid of making mistakes. The key is knowing what do to when we make mistakes. Some people are afraid of hearing unpleasant words. Once they hear something that hits a nerve, they become angry, and they even want to bully others and retaliate. This kind of behavior will not only hurt others but will eventually hurt themselves. We should keep a proper attitude and do what is right, while continuously upgrading our level of thinking. Then there is nothing that can stop us from progressing forward.

During the more than two thousand five hundred years that have passed since the Spring and Autumn era, except for the Buddha School, nothing has influenced Chinese culture more profoundly than Confucianism and the teachings taught in the Tao School. Therefore, the founders of the three schools, Shakyamuni, Confucius and Lao Zi, have long been respected and worshipped by succeeding generations.

However, Li Shizhen thought the categories were too complicated; the names were not properly assigned or documented, since sometimes one herb was classified as two separate types or two herbs were mixed up with one. Seeing this predicament Li Shizhen devoted thirty-years of effort and finished the Bencao Gangmu (The Great Compendium of Herbs) after three revisions and consultation with more than 800 books.

Master Zhang said, "You have won the five-year contest. Your paintings are invaluable and cannot be bought with money, whereas my paintings can. Your paintings can bring changes to countless people but my paintings are nothing but a part of rich people's decorations. I think that I deserve to lose and you have allowed me understand the true value of art. Let me learn from you! Let's work together and create more beauty for the world!"

The young disciple was quite capable and continued to enlarge the temple. He thought that after the temple was completed, he would follow the old master's instructions and save more poor people. After the temple was finished and looked quite presentable, he thought, "Perhaps, I should wait for the temple to get bigger and better before I help those poor people."

When the hostess saw the ugly servant, she was so shocked that she was speechless. The female servant felt very strange and asked the hostess: "Is there something on my face?" She wiped her face again using the handkerchief. The hostess was even more shocked and shouted, "What kind of handkerchief is this?" Upon hearing the hostesses shouting people flooded into the room. Everyone was shocked.

Holding great aspirations from a very young age, he wanted to be like his father, Yue Fei, and serve the country loyally. He was intelligent, righteous, and successful in many military endeavours. At the age of twenty-three, Yue Yun and his father were framed and killed by the cunning minister, Qin Gui. With his pure heart and righteous spirit, Yue Yun is being remembered as a courageous Chinese patriot.

One day, three heavenly maidens came to bathe in the pond. The oldest sister was called Engulun, the second Zhenggulun, and the youngest Fogulun. After they finished bathing and were putting on their clothing, a magpie carrying a red fruit in his mouth and put it on the top of Fogulun's clothing. Fogulun was so fond of the red fruit that she kept playing with it in her hands when she accidentally swallowed it and fell pregnant.

Yang Fu, also known as Yang Hongji, was an accomplished scholar from Hubei Province in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 A.D.) of ancient China. During his life he advanced to the high positions of Hanlin academician and prime minister. He was known as a moral, honest, and righteous man who was also very modest and reverent. He was revered as one of the most virtuous prime ministers in Chinese history.

In the Temple Regulations - Buddhist Instrument, it is said, "Bells play the role of verbal commands in temples. When it strikes at dawn it breaks the endless night, and wakes one from sleep. When it strikes in the evening, it alters the dusk, to banish the bad elements." No matter if a bell was used to call people to the main building, to read study the scriptures, to announce morning's arrival, to mark the time for sleep, for meals and so on, all these activities were done according to the command of the bell.

Confucius said, "Gentlemen are easy to serve, but hard to please. In order to please a gentleman, you must act according to the principles, or he will be unhappy. A gentleman will think highly of your talents and give you an opportunity to use them. Villains are difficult to serve and easy to please. You do not need to behave according to the principles as long as you do exactly what you are told.

Others said, "That is not the right thing to do. Su Jian fought a vigorous battle and he led only one thousand soldiers to fight with tens of thousands of enemy soldiers. If you kill him, you are also telling others that, from now on, if you lose a battle you should never return."

During the earlier Jiajing reign of the Ming dynasty in ancient China, a merchant by the name of Jin in Yizheng County of Jiangsu Province, opened a pawnshop. He was honest and treated people coming to pawn their goods with fairness. He also gave generous appraisals and allowed a longer redeeming time compared to other pawnshops and when a poor elder came to pawn their goods, he often made an exception to charging any interest.

It is said that traditional Chinese medicine was passed down by the gods. In the first chapter of the The Yellow Emperor, a classic of Chinese medicine, it discusses on how one should follow and obey the heavenly principles instead of how to cure illnesses via certain methods. In addition, it discusses true selves, virtuous men, sages, and wise men. Here the true selves are really enlightened beings, namely gods. Why, in the first chapter of a Chinese medicine classic, does it talk about gods and Taos?

Upon hearing this, Genghis Khan was so greatly shocked that he immediately sought the advice of Yelu Chucai who commented: "It is a good omen animal and is called the Good Omen Horn. It can speak many local languages. It is a being whom greatly cares for lives and detests killing indiscriminatingly. His appearance is a warning to the Great Khan from Heaven. I hope that you will follow Heaven's will." Genghis Khan therefore withdrew his troops and returned home.

This is a story stated in the Zhan Guo Ce (Intrigues of the Warring States). The idiom that the fox profits from the tiger's might evolved from this story. It is an analogy referring to people who like to bully or suppress others when they are associated with someone in a powerful position.

His whole life Tao Hongjing searched for the truth--the ultimate truth of life. And with compassion he always cared about sentient beings. He was modest, understanding, sharp-eyed, and always conformed to etiquette regardless of his reclusive life or being a high-level official. He was honest, calm, and unperturbed regardless of what was happening. The stories of his cultivation and great deeds will forever be remembered.

In short, Zhang Fangping ended the chaos in Sichuan that began one autumn by calming and trusting the people. He did not treat people in Sichuan like bandits or thieves. Instead, he treated them with respect and trust. As a result, peace and order was restored by January of the following year.

Tiandan ordered his army to have one thousand oxen covered with bright red satin sheets painted with dragons, tied a dagger on each bull horn, and tied a burning rope on the oxen's tails. He then ordered the oxen to be released and had his soldiers follow them. The city dwellers beat their drums and shouted together as they marched forward. Yan's army woke up in panic from their dreams and saw many sharp horns with strange fiery bodies rushing towards them and so they panicked and fled. Tiandan

When Renzong heard about Guan's resignation from his noble office and that he simply handed it over to his brother, he told his officials: "It is hard to find the descendants of generals with such meritorious records. Guan Yunshi presented the Explanation of Classic of Filial Piety, which was highly praised by Renzong. Renzong appointed him as a scholar of his residence before ascending the throne.

All the income that Yuan Dexiu earned during his service as government official was used to help orphans. After he finished his term, his only asset was a roll of silk. Yuan rode a crudely-made cart and settled down in the mountains. Fang Guan, the Minister of Punishment at the time, said of meeting Yuan, "When I see Yuan Dexiu's face, all my thoughts of pursuing fame and profit are gone." After Yuan Dexiu passed away, all he left behind was a pillow, shoes and cookware, without any other valuables.

"Often, close friends, beloved relatives, and old acquaintances become estranged, not because of what they say, but rather because of how they say it, such as when they have a rude attitude or tone. If we can keep our attitudes gentle and polite, when we point out others' shortcomings with direct and straight words, they will not be offended even if they do not heed our advice. On the other hand, when we speak tersely, then even if we do not mean to alienate others, they will often feel offended, if not outright angry."

Shanfu County was in order when Mr. Mi played the lute within the hall. When Mi Zijian was acting as the magistrate in Danfu County (what is now Dan County in Shandong Province), he was never extremely busy, like his predecessor. Instead, he seldom went out of the hall, preferring to play his lute. Consequently, the county was administered with great order, and he was praised by the common people. People said, "This magistrate can play the lute and is not meddlesome. He is a good official."

When the army arrived at the border of the Zheng, they met a Zheng businessman, Xian Gao, who was about to go to Zhou to sell his twelve cows. When Xian Gao saw the Qin army, he sent a person back to his country to deliver the urgent message. In the meantime, he walked towards the troop and said: "The Zheng emperor sent me here to offer a dozen cows to cheer up your soldiers from the honorable Qin country."

During the period of the Eastern Han Dynasty, residing in the Louyang District of Henan Province was a celebrated man named Le Yangzi. He was well respected for his moral integrity and scholarship. His achievement, however, was said to be attributed to his wife's exhortation and help.

One day Le Yangzi found a piece of a gold ingot on the road. (Translator's note: People used silver and gold ingots for trade in the early days.) Elated, he brought it home to his wife, fully expecting her to stare at it, wide-eyed and with enthusiasm. But his wife frowned as if deep in thought, and without even glancing at the gold ingot, said in a serious tone, "I have heard that an incorruptible man does not drink water from the Stolen Spring(1) and an honourable man does not eat the food handed out with spite in the name of charity. Yet, you have found a lost gold ingot, decided to keep it, and have no intention of returning it. Aren't you blemishing your character?"

Meng Ke (also known as "Mencius) who lived between 372 - 289 B.C. was a native of the Zou Kingdom, the modern day Zou County of China. He was a great ancient thinker and educator in China whose memorable quotes include, "A gentleman should be righteous and have dignity;" "Rule with virtue" and "A person with great love has no enemies in the world." The following is a story about him.