There was famine in Germany one year. A rich person invited 20 poor children to his home. He said to them: “Each of you can pick one piece of bread from the basket. From now on, every day at the
same time you can come here and take bread until the famine is over.”
The children grabbed the basket and fought for the biggest piece. After they got the bread in their hand, they left without saying “thank you”.
Only a poor girl named Francis in neat clothes stood shyly on the side. She waited for everyone to finish before she took the last smallest piece left in the basket. She thanked the owner and went home.
The second day, all the children did the same as previous day. They showed their eagerness to get the bread like hungry wolves trying to catch food. Poor Francis got the smallest piece of bread which was not even the half size of the others. But when she got home and her mom cut the bread, a bunch of shiny new silver coins fell out.
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Lao Zi - said to be one of the most famous philosophers in Chinese history. Also known as the Father of Taoism
Hello and welcome to Ancient Tales of Wisdom proudly brought you by SOH Radio Network. My name is Grace Mann, and it is my privelege to bring you the story; One Benefits from Modesty and is Ruined by Complacence.
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There is an ancient Chinese saying, “One benefits from modesty and is ruined by complacence.” The famous Chinese Taoist Lao Zi said, “A man is able to tell right from wrong when he does not think of himself as a know-it-all. A man will be recognized for his achievements when he does not brag. A man is capable of great accomplishments if he is not proud.”
A tolerant person is bound to have good fortune. An intolerant person is bound to have bad fortune. Being humble or being proud determines one’s fortune. A humble man of lofty character will become increasingly moral. Hence, modesty is a virtue a moral person must maintain.
During the Spring and Autumn Period in ancient China, Zi Lu, a disciple of Confucius, once asked Confucius “Why does a degenerated person tend to be conceited?” Confucius replied, “At its origin in Wen Mountain, the Yangtze River is unable to even float a cup. But when the Yangtze River goes down to the next port, multiple boats can line up in a row on the river.” Zi Lu asked again, “What do you mean, teacher?” Confucius explained, “The Yangtze River is the longest river in China, but it is no more than a small brook at its origin. It becomes bigger and wider as it keeps receiving water from many different brooks and rivers. A man who thinks twice before he speaks does not boast or make empty promises. A man who thinks twice before he acts does not hug all the credit. A true gentleman is wise and kind. A true gentleman respects, tolerates and forgives others and is a man of his word. A degenerated man thinks little of virtue and that is the reason why he is not the man he appears to be on the outside and is conceited.”
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There is an ancient saying, “Intolerance of minor injustices could lead to the undoing of one’s great destiny.” Tolerance is a type of humbleness, maturity, generosity and long-term vision. King Gou Jian (circa 496 BC – 465 BC), forbore the humiliation of defeat and eventually restored the State of Yue. During the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD), Han Xin avoided disaster because he did not follow an impulse and endured humiliation.
Zhang Er and Chen Yu were celebrities in the State of Wei, which was taken over by Qin in the Warring States Period (circa 500 BC – 221 BC).
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Hello and welcome to Ancient Tales of Wisdom on Sound of Hope Radio Network. This is Catherine Hennessy. Today I’m going to narrate to you a Chinese story called ‘Emperor Tang Taizong Banned the Use of Cane-Beating’. I hope you will enjoy it.
According to Tang dynasty historical records, one day Emperor Tang Taizong read a book that showed pictures of acupuncture points for treating illnesses. These pictures showed that a human’s five viscera (heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys) were all connected to the back. There were five methods of punishing criminals in several dynasties, depending on degree of seriousness of the crime committed. As a “light” punishment, officials beat the criminal’s back repeatedly with a cane and it often caused death.
The Emperor thought that beating people on their back would shock the five viscera and could injure a person or cause death. He, therefore, gave the order banning the use of canes to beat the back of criminals. Emperor Taizong was kind and always considered the benefits of his people. It was well known that Emperor Taizong governed the country with benevolence.
The removal of cane beating was one example.
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