In the profound teachings of the “I Ching,” balance in life is emphasized as essential. It suggests that when we assume roles or positions beyond our capabilities, be it in terms of virtue, wisdom, or strength, success becomes an elusive goal. This notion of imbalance serves as a timeless reminder of three of life’s greatest missteps, lessons that resonate as deeply today as they did in ancient times.
The perils of holding power without virtue
It’s a critical lesson: Those in high positions should have the virtue to match. A tale set during the Warring States Period from the Chinese historical chronicle History as a Mirror illustrates this principle.
When the ruler of the Jin State, Zhi Xuanzi, was selecting his heir, he was quite fond of his son, Zhi Yao, admiring his seemingly kingly qualities. However, Jin’s ministers opposed, warning that Zhi Yao lacked the benevolence needed for leadership and his rule would bring disaster. Despite their counsel, Zhi Xuanzi insisted on naming Zhi Yao as his heir. After Zhi Xuanzi’s death, Zhi Yao’s rule was marked by a lack of benevolence and harsh treatment of officials, leading to conflicts with other states. Eventually, the Jin State was defeated by the Han, Zhao, and Wei states, and their line was extinguished.
History shows us that while those who achieve greatness may not be perfect, they must possess both virtue and talent. Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty, for instance, was open-minded, frugal, and prioritized the well-being of his citizens, establishing the renowned “Era of Zhenguan” — a golden age in China’s history. In leadership, virtue comes first.
Recognizing one’s intellectual boundaries
Wisdom lies in knowing others, but enlightenment lies in knowing oneself. Great individuals recognize both their strengths and their limitations.
In 1952, Chaim Weizmann, the first president of Israel, passed away. Albert Einstein received a phone call from the Israeli ambassador: “Mr. Einstein, I am calling on behalf of David Ben-Gurion, the Prime Minister of the State of Israel. We want to ask if you would agree to be a candidate for the position of President of Israel.”
Einstein immediately declined and replied: “Mr. Ambassador, I know a little about nature, but almost nothing about human beings. How can a person like me become the president?”
Benjamin Franklin had a famous saying: “A misplaced treasure is a waste.” If Einstein had accepted the offer, the world would have been deprived of a great physicist.
The danger of overestimating one’s strength
Overextending yourself is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot — it’s overestimating one’s capacity. Another story from the Warring States period highlights this.
Qin Wuwang, a famously strong ruler, enjoyed physical combat. One day in the Eastern Zhou capital of Luoyang, he saw the Nine Tripod cauldrons, legacies of the legendary Emperor Yu. Betting another strongman, Meng Shuo, that he could lift one of the massive cauldrons, Meng declined the challenge. Qin Wuwang attempted it himself, but in the process, he broke his kneecap and died at the age of 23.
It’s essential to give our best, but equally vital to recognize our limits. When you don’t recognize these three pitfalls in life — lacking virtue in high positions, overestimating your wisdom, or bearing burdens beyond your strength — it is a path to failure.
The universe operates without bias, considering all creatures as insignificant. Our little journey should not be filled with hubris against the universe’s grand design. After all, fate often has its own plans, and everything has its cause and effect.
Translated by Joseph Wu
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