During the late Qing Dynasty, there lived a statesman named Lin Zexu. He was not only a political and military figure, he was a rare literary and educational figure as well. It is said that in September 1839, after Lin inspected Macau, he wrote 10 maxims known as the “Ten Useless Things” on Qianshan Mountain. Despite their brevity, these insightful statements are immortalized on a monument at the foot of the bridge by the Pearl River, profoundly encompassing various aspects of life. These 10 statements continue to hold deep educational and motivational significance, even in modern times.
Lin Zexu’s ‘Ten Useless Things’ in life
1. Bad intentions make Feng Shui useless
While some individuals prioritize Feng Shui in their effort to have a better life, if your heart is not kind, it will be useless to pay attention to Feng Shui. Some people do not realize that what truly affects feng shui is how they live their lives. If you do not have good intentions, harm others for your own benefit and personal gain, and go against the natural order of things, resentment will naturally accumulate in those you’ve wronged. Even the best feng shui will not be effective in overcoming such a situation.
2. Not being filial to parents makes worshiping God useless
Every action adheres to the law of cause and effect, and every word and action subtly shapes the perceptions of your children. If you show disrespect to your parents, how can your children be respectful to you? Even if you show respect toward heaven and pray all day long, your situation will not improve until you improve your behavior.
3. Lack of harmony between brothers makes friendships useless
In the Records of the Grand Historian, historian Sima Qian wrote: “Establish teachings throughout the four directions, with fathers righteous, mothers kind, brothers friendly, younger brothers respectful, sons filial, the interior peaceful, and the exterior successful.”
A family is like a tree, where parents are the foundation, and siblings are the branches. For the family to flourish, the branches must mutually support one another. An individual who looks after their siblings unquestionably possesses a sense of responsibility, and this will naturally extend to caring for their friends and colleagues.
On the other hand, if you are always in conflict with your siblings and relatives and only think about yourself, you will not treat your friends and colleagues well either. In other words, if the relationship with your siblings is not handled well, what use is it to make friends outside of the family?
4. Improper behavior makes studying useless
Confucius emphasized that the purpose of studying is to “accumulate knowledge and skills, cultivate inner virtues, and practice proper etiquette.” The ultimate purpose of studying is to shape yourself into a virtuous and capable person who is capable of improving yourself, benefiting others, and contributing to society and the country.
However, if you engage in studying with improper behavior and an incorrect mindset, the more knowledge you acquire, the more opportunities you will have to harm others. As the saying goes: “Those who do not follow the right path will perish in the end.” This underscores the inevitability of unfavorable outcomes when you deviate from ethical principles.
5. Acting in extreme ways renders intelligence useless
The term “acting extremely” refers to being overly radical, stubborn, or unreasonable, often at the expense of common sense, fairness, and what is just.
A person who acts so extremely that they get what they want through being forceful, for example, even if doing so intelligently, will only bring disaster. When intelligence is wielded in a clever and cunning manner, it can lead to misguided decisions and poor outcomes. Another example of “acting extremely” might involve someone who pursues success at all costs, resorting to clever ways to deceive and manipulate others, while disregarding ethical considerations for personal gain.
These examples remind us that resorting to extreme behaviors is an imbalanced approach that will ultimately lead to unfavorable outcomes.
6. Arrogance makes extensive knowledge useless
“Arrogance” refers to having a haughty, self-important, arrogant, and conceited attitude. Even if you possess extensive knowledge, if you are arrogant and unwilling to listen to different opinions, what you know loses its value.
Excessively arrogant people are unable to stay grounded and humble. Their inflated opinion of themselves leads them down a precarious path, ultimately leading to difficulties. Stubborn arrogance limits intellectual and personal growth, thus hindering meaningful collaboration with others.
7. Unfavorable timing makes pursuits useless
Achieving success depends on human effort, but the circumstances surrounding you remain beyond your control. Therefore, you must understand how to assess the timing of things, and adapt accordingly.
When a situation takes a sudden or drastic change, the ability to adapt becomes crucial. Attempting to force a certain outcome in life when the timing is not right will only prove to be futile. Therefore, the wisest course of action is to go with the flow while steadfastly persisting in your tasks. Success, in essence, involves a harmonious blend of effort, timing, and adaptability.
8. Illegally obtaining wealth renders charity useless
As the saying goes: “A gentleman loves wealth and has a way of obtaining it.” This timeless adage underscores the importance of acquiring wealth through honorable means rather than resorting to theft or deceit.
You should not take what does not belong to you. Illegally obtained wealth may bring temporary benefits, but it will not bring the enduring peace of mind that comes from knowing you have earned success with integrity and virtue during your lifetime.
9. Neglecting health makes medicine useless
No matter how good the medicine is, it cannot replace taking care of your own body.
If you do not care for your body, frequently stay up late, and engage in activities that harm your health, you will damage your vitality. No amount of medicine can bring back good health afterward!
Therefore, you must maintain good lifestyle habits. Prioritizing adequate sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, and participating in activities that promote good health are essential to safeguarding and improving overall vitality in your life.
10. Indulging in vices makes philanthropy useless
If you live a life of luxury and sensuality, and excessively indulge your desires, you will not only damage your reputation, but your extravagance and debauchery will be harmful to those around you and society as a whole.
The consequences of unrestrained desires extend beyond personal boundaries, impacting the broader social fabric. If you are to lead a virtuous life, you must practice self-discipline and learn to restrain your inner desires.
Translated by Joseph Wu
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