Chapter 775: Helping Others Is Helping Yourself

Helping others is helping yourself.

April 27: Helping others is helping yourself.

Although Confucius and Laozi follow different paths, Confucius focuses on human affairs, taking people as the foundation; Laozi reveres the 'Heavenly Way', follows the heavenly mandate; Confucius emphasizes literary ornamentation, Laozi longs for 'nature', Confucius advocates 'action', Laozi advocates 'non-action'; Confucius stresses regulating the family, governing the state, and pacifying the world, Laozi is devoted to detachment.

Confucius and Laozi seem like cars on two different roads, not traveling the same path.

But this may be exactly what Laozi hoped for. For someone like Laozi, who embraces heaven and earth and all things, could he not wish his students to 'surpass the blue while coming from indigo'?

When Confucius and the teacher part ways, they go on to manage their own lives and pursue their futures. What should I give as a gift to the students? Apart from a belly full of classic books and splendid writings, I have nothing else.

Laozi thought for a moment, then said to Confucius: 'This parting may mean we never meet again, making it forever. I've heard that the wealthy and noble give money and riches when they part; but I have never been rich, never been noble; like you, I wander everywhere, dwelling under no roof; besides a straw bed and rope stove, there is only the two affections and clear breeze.'

I am forever a solitary ascetic in spirit. This may be fate, an unchangeable destiny!

What I say to you are the truest words from my heart. I dare not speak a single false word to this world. I despise most those who are hypocritical, saying one thing and meaning another. Through contact, I observe that you are absolutely not one who says one thing to your face and another behind your back.

To be a sincere person is also the essence and principle of being human. Just as you usually teach your students: be sincere to others, helping others succeed is helping yourself succeed.

Without sincerity, there would be nothing of the world's myriad things. Sincerity is like the sun, moon, and stars in heaven, the rivers and lakes on earth, flowers, grasses, trees, birds and beasts—some things you see with your eyes, some you hear with your ears—and they are inseparable from moment to moment.

For example, without the heavenly sunlight, the water in the earthly rivers, lakes, and seas—how would people live and survive?

Yet people, speaking falsely and acting falsely about these heavenly gifts, deceive themselves. Therefore, a gentleman must cherish sincerity.

Only sincerity can help you achieve yourself. Of course, sincerity is not just about achieving yourself; it also helps others and the world. Achieving yourself means patience, gentleness, kindness, honesty, gentleness, self-restraint—that is benevolence and peace. Sincerity is also the environment and wisdom of survival.

'What kind of wisdom is this?' Confucius asked..........