Han Wangxi

TODAY, let’s talk about humility.

Han Feizi once told a story about King Wen of Zhou (1152-1056 B.C.). During his war against the State of Chong, when he reached Fenghuang Village, his sock came loose, so he bent down to fix it. Lyu Wang, or Jiang Taigong, then asked: “Why are you tying your sock? You could have had someone else do it for you.”

King Wen replied: “When a ruler gets along with his superiors, he regards them as teachers; when he meets those who are equal, he treats them as friends; it is only when a ruler faces the inferior that he can summon them. Now, if you look around, those who are with me are loyal ministers of my late father. Hence, there is no one I can order around.”

The story explains how humble King Wen was.

However, there are also people who are not humble. General Wenzi went to meet someone who did not stand up to welcome him and remained sitting, disrespecting him. After leaving, Wenzi said to his coachman: “How foolish is that person! If he considers me a nobleman, how can he disrespect a nobleman? If he regards me as a cruel and wicked man, how can he insult and provoke a cruel villain? If he is not killed, then he can consider himself lucky.”

Humility is even more crucial in governing a country and achieving national security.

Han Feizi told another story on humility. In year 538 B.C., King Ling of Chu convened a meeting, known as “Shen Conference,” inviting the feudal lords from various states to gather in Shen (modern Nanyang, Henan Province). The State of Song’s crown prince arrived a bit late, so King Ling of Chu had him tiedup and imprisoned. The king also insulted the State of Xu ruler and detained Qing Feng, a high-ranking official from the State of Qi, which greatly displeased people.

Chu’s officials then advised King Ling of Chu, saying that it was important to uphold courtesy when gathering the feudal lords. In the past, King Jie of Xia and King Zhou of Shang faced rebellions during such gatherings because they lacked humility. King Ling of Chu, stubborn and unreceptive, disregarded the advice, and no persuasion could change his mind. Not long after, the king was killed by his own courtiers in Qianxi (modern Bozhou, Anhui Province). If King Ling of Chu had listened to his officials’ advice and rectified his behavior in time, perhaps the tragedy could have been avoided.

(The author is a cultural scholar.)

(Translated by Cao Zhen)