During the Northern Song Dynasty, a scholar named Lü Mengzheng endured great hardship from an early age. After his parents quarreled one day, he and his mother were cast onto the streets and left to beg for food to survive. They lived in a crumbling shack, often unsure if they would have food each day, enduring scorn and contempt from those around them.
Despite these hardships, Lü Mengzheng was bright, kind-hearted, and deeply committed to his studies. At one point, he sought shelter at a temple, requesting food and a quiet place to study. However, the monks grew irritated with him and began ringing the bell only after meals were served, ensuring that Lü Mengzheng would arrive too late for food. Undeterred, Lü Mengzheng endured the hunger and focused on his studies with unwavering determination.
Eventually, Lü Mengzheng achieved the highest honors, becoming a renowned scholar and serving three terms as Prime Minister. Known and respected as a true leader of the people, he never forgot his humble beginnings. Having experienced poverty firsthand, Lü Mengzheng deeply understood the struggles of the poor and dedicated himself to serving others with compassion and wisdom. Drawing from his own life, he shared five wise teachings to inspire those facing adversity.
5 wise teachings of Lü Mengzheng
1. Everyone desires wealth and honor, but blessings cannot be forced
Success and prosperity are goals we all strive for in life, yet they cannot be achieved through forceful demands. Life and death are fated, and heaven ultimately determines wealth. Much of life is predestined, and pushing too hard often leads to frustration. Instead, we should give our best effort while trusting the process as it unfolds. By letting go of attachment to the outcome, we can find peace, knowing we have done all we can with a clear conscience, even if things do not always go as planned.
2. When the mighty dragon is not yet recognized, it must swim with the fish; the noble spirit, in troubled times, must bow to the less worthy
When the dragon’s time has not yet come, it must remain beneath the surface, swimming with the fish. Similarly, when individuals of noble character are not yet recognized for their worth, they may have to humble themselves and defer to others. Destiny is shaped by talent and timing; success comes when both align. Before your time arrives, wait patiently. Never diminish your worth or give up. Consider Jiang Ziya, who achieved little before age 80, but when his time came, his talents flourished.
3. A horse has the strength to run a thousand miles, but without a rider, it cannot go far; a person with great ambition cannot succeed without opportunity
A thoroughbred is born to run great distances, but without a skilled rider, it cannot reach its full potential. In the same way, even the most ambitious individuals cannot achieve success without the right opportunity. During difficult times, remember that it’s not a lack of talent that holds you back but the absence of the right environment to help you thrive.
4. When the heavens are clouded, the sun and moon lose their glitter; when the earth is out of season, plants cannot grow; when misfortune strikes, even human potential is constrained
All things in life ebb and flow. When the heavens are clouded, the sun and moon lose their brilliance; in winter, plants lie dormant. Similarly, life can feel stagnant during difficult times, and even human potential can seem constrained. Yet, just as clouds eventually disperse and the sun and moon shine again, or as winter gives way to spring and plants bloom anew, our time, too, will come. With patience, we can trust that better days are ahead.
5. When opportunity seems distant, embrace simplicity and stay true; brighter days will come if the heart remains pure
In times of misfortune, remain honest, calm, and grounded, knowing that true potential will be recognized in due time. Lü Mengzheng later reflected: “In Luoyang, I ate simple temple food by day, slept in cold caves by night, wore thin clothes against the winter, and lived on little. Those of high rank despised me, while those of low rank looked down on me, thinking I was unworthy. But it was merely that my time had not yet come.
“Now, I hold a high office, second only to the emperor, with the power to guide and oversee officials to discipline the corrupt and selfish. I wear fine silk, dine on delicacies, and am guarded and attended to. The emperor values me, and all the officials support me. I am honored not just for my abilities but because destiny has finally smiled upon me.”
Lü Mengzheng concluded: “Wealth and honor are determined by fate; no matter how hard we strive, we cannot control every outcome. In times of prosperity, remain modest, and in times of poverty, hold yourself steady. Trust in the natural cycles of heaven and earth, for true fortune comes when one understands the rhythms and timing of life.”
Translated by Katy Liu and edited by Tatiana Denning
Follow us on X, Facebook, or Pinterest
